Police Abuse in Ohio [Archive] - In Session Message Boards

SwineFeld

06-20-2008, 11:05 PM

Yeah the video does look disturbing. What we've seen of it. BUT, I would like to see and hear everything from start to finish. Like, what was said when they got to her house. How did or didn't she refuse to cooperate? They mentioned how they asked her to remove her own clothes first and she refused. I would also like to see that part. Was she out of control the entire time? Etc. There is so much missing.

Sure the little clips we've seen don't look good. But, there are MANY times when videos like this surface and parts are missing so that it looks bad for one of the parties involved over the other.

For instance, that tape of that 5 year old girl getting cuffed a few years back. They only let out a small clip of the video at first and it was of the girl screaming and crying "I'll be good" and the cops cuffing her as if they didn't hear her pleas. Everyone was outraged. Then, a few days later, we saw more. This time the entire video showed this kid being totally out of control, hitting teachers, climbing on desks, tossing books and objects around the room and at people, not listening when teachers asked her to stop, etc. Then, right before the cops entered the room, she was told that if she didn't stop and sit down she would be cuffed so that she wouldn't hurt herself or others. She was told this MANY times. She didn't care and continued on acting a fool tossing things and climbing the desk and slapping out at the teacher. Then, the cops walk in and she quick sits in the seat and immediately starts crying "I'll be good I promise." Yeah, sure looked different once ya saw the whole thing and MANY people changed their opinions on the story/situation. They saw how it was necessary to cuff her to stop her from lashing out and hurting herself and others.

Anyway, based on what I saw of this video, the only thing I can disagree with THUS far is the fact that the male officers were involved in the removal of her clothes. But other than that, I'd have to see more (like the things I described above) to make a decision.

LisaM22

06-21-2008, 09:07 AM

Originally posted by Beebee
I have the original complaint filed by Hope's lawyers here:

http://sleuthingforjustice.com/viewtopic.php?t=1523

(you can download the pdf file)

Swinefed the thing is, Hope was screaming and crying because they were ripping her clothes off!!

Why would they feel the need to strip her naked and leave her that way??!!!!!!

How is this justified in any way, shape or form?? [/*]

it is not justified in any way shape or form imo

sandyfromoh

06-21-2008, 10:48 AM

Originally posted by Beebee

Sandy,

Swanson is up for re-election in Nov. -- we are both in NE Ohio.

Is it legal to go to the polls with a picture of Hope getting her clothes ripped off by those animals??

If so I will be happy to meet you there!!!! [/*]

I'd love to go to the polls with the picture of Hope, unfortunately(or should I say Thank God) I'm in Cuyahoga County, not Stark, so can't vote against Swanson!

sandyfromoh

06-21-2008, 11:54 AM

Originally posted by Beebee

I'm not in Stark either. Doesn't mean we can't visit the polls :D

Dordea has already made it an issue in his campaign, so I'm sure he wouldn't mind the free help :D

All joking aside, I wonder if it would be possible to get a group together for this very purpose?? Swanson needs to be voted OUT, and with Dordea making it an issue, he will have to act in Hope's favor and possibly discipline the people involved?? [/*]

Too be very honest, I'm afraid to go to Stark!! I had to go a couple months ago (I drive for a dealer), and made sure I obeyed every law. If the Sheriffs would ever stop me, my mouth is very wicked, and I'd be the next Hope, and I couldn't take that, I'd end up locking myself up and never going out again, that's why I'm so upset about this. To be robbed of your dignity and your human rights. Don't know what is happening to this country anymore that there are some out there that think this was warrented. Yet those are the same crying over the harsh punishment of those poor prisoners at guantanemo. I'm a senior citizen and have had nothing but pride for our country, but when I see and hear things like Hope's, I just don't get it!

John7878

06-23-2008, 12:21 PM

Originally posted by sandyfromoh

I sent a personal message to John, he wrote everyone, numberous times, since the original thread was closed, I haven't seen him, hopefully he will find us again!! I also noticed it is back on You Tube. I've sent emails all over the country with the link to WKYC's coverage. I'm just hoping for John, he wrote or called the AG's office a couple times that I noticed. I will try sending to Nancy Grace AGAIN and Greta AGAIN, maybe the exclusive is off of WKYC.:shrug: [/*]

Hi, I am here. I had been busy with some stuff around the house. And also my wife had some medical problems come up and I have been dealing with them.

I have already sent a donation to Larry Dordea through paypal. Asking him for only one thing, no more travesties like Hope Steffy's and the others bringing suit against Stark County.

I did hear about the grand jury decision.
But since no other evidence was disclosed, and no one knows what evidence they were presented with, I have no idea how they arrived at their decision.

For all we know this could have been set up like the Ed Rosenthal trial.
The jury was presented with evidence of Ed growing marijuana and they convicted him.
There was only ONE piece of evidence the jury was NOT allowed to know. That he had a California State License to grow medical marijuana!!! (Members of the jury sent him a letter of apology after finding out.)
So who knows what is happening here.

As I said before, at the beginning of June I called the State of Ohio Atty General's office and after bouncing me from person to person, they still couldn't tell me who was investigating and suggested I call the Sheriff's office.
Carrie, the sheriff's secretary said they didn't know anyone investigating.
A call back to the state, got me the same advice, call the sheriff. Since they didn't even know what division was doing the investigation. So I again called the sheriff's and this time talked to the head jailer at the county jail. He also said that he knew of NO ONE investigating the Hope Steffy case.
I again called the sheriff and left my name & number with the secretary and was told that he would contact me.
I have yet to get that return call.

So you can see how I am wondering if an investigation was even actually done, let alone how thorough it was.

But I have AGAIN 6-23-2008 contacted the sheriff's office.
Since they wouldn't comment on anything until the investigation was over, I thought I'd ask some questions.

The sheriff was AGAIN not available and I AGAIN left my name & number, reminding them that I had already been waiting weeks for a call.

I have also called the State Atty General's office again today 6-23-2008.

Paul Scarsella, the Chief of the Special Prosecutions Section for the Attorney General’s Office, the one investigating this is supposed to call me tomorrow.

Hopefully I will get some questions answered.

:shrug:

sandyfromoh

06-23-2008, 12:43 PM

Originally posted by John7878

Hi, I am here. I had been busy with some stuff around the house. And also my wife had some medical problems come up and I have been dealing with them.

Hopefully I will get some questions answered.

:shrug: [/*]

Welcome Back John!! Hope your wife is doing okay, I'll send some prayers her way.:rose:
I sure hope you hear back from ANYONE! Thank you so much for being such a caring person, I hope that everyone appreciates all the work you are doing about this, I certainly do.:patriot:

John7878

06-23-2008, 01:27 PM

Originally posted by tirante
I believe the grand jury had more info than what is available to the general public. [/*]

Just got off the phone with Paul Scarsella, the Chief of the Special Prosecutions Section for the Attorney General’s Office.

NOTHING presented to the grand jury can be discussed.

We will NEVER know until the December trial. It WILL be public and all evidence will be presented there. So he said I'd have to wait for that trial.

So I tried to ask a few general questions.

How are men allowed in a "suicide prevention"?

His answer, every county has their own rules.

My reply: But this is against federal law.

His answer: then it would have to be resolved by them.
======================
Was ANY of the people involved polygraphed?

His answer: What relevance would that have?

My answer: To find out the truth.

His reply: No one was polygraphed.
========================
Did you interview everyone from the original arrest?

His reply: Yes and she was convicted in trial.

My reply: And how many witnesses testified against her?

His R: The two deputies against her and ALL her relation FOR her.

My R: So she was originally convicted only on the word of the police, with no video evidence.

His R: Yes.
=========================
What was exhibit "F" at her trial?

His R: Don't know, you'd have to contact them.
=========================

How do YOU personally feel about the jail policy of men stripping women?

His R: Not going to comment.
==========================

NOTE*

I again called him back to clarify some things.
His claim is that the news accounts are wrong.
She was left naked for 3 hours and then put in a suicide suit.
That the sheriff's dept never agreed that they had left her for 6 hours.

I told him about the calls trying to find out who was investigating this. And how it looked like the sheriff was never willing to discuss the case.

His reply was that the sheriff was in litigation and couldn't talk about it.

I agreed that he couldn't talk about certain things, but that I had general questions about operations at the jail also.

His reply, he wasn't responsible for others contacting me.....

My response, yes I know, but then can you understand why I was skeptical about this whole case.

His final bottom line: I was asked to investigate criminal charges against the police. I investigated and we presented the evidence to the grand jury and they were found innocent.

PS Still no call from Jim Swanson.

sandyfromoh

06-23-2008, 02:19 PM

John7878

06-23-2008, 11:14 PM

Originally posted by tirante
Still true. The grand jury had more info than the general public, since a 2 minute tape is all that is available to the

Please post the link to this. Since no information was to be discussed, I'd like to see who posted this.

[QUOTE]Originally posted by tirante

Female guards are frequently present when male prisoners are strip searched.

http://www.inrich.com/cva/ric/news.apx.-content-articles-RTD-2008-02-07-0147.html

From the link:
"..The United States is one of only a handful of countries where staff of the opposite gender is permitted to supervise inmates while they are nude, said Brenda V. Smith, a law professor at American University and an expert on sexual issues in prisons..." [/*]

From what I have found rules governing this vary WILDLY from state to state, and even from county to county, and sometimes city to city.

And still don't make it right. (Or legal.)

Look at the rules for Nevada prisons once, they are unreal!

John7878

06-23-2008, 11:25 PM

Originally posted by DoggyDeBardo
Let's be truthful - A large percentage of all cops became cops just so they could be legal bullies. We all know some.

We shouldn't be surprised that many get caught. [/*]

Can't find the link, but investigations showed that the Chicago police had about 5% that were MOST of the problems in complaints. I can't rem the ratio off the top of my head and too tired to look....sorry.

The biggest problem was that even after 50 complaints, the officers were not even flagged to watch for problems!!

Sure there might be a bigger percentage that "gets off" on the 'status' of being a cop. But all in all most are just doing a job.

But in the Hope Steffy case I believe that the deputies & jail staff conspired to punish Steffy.

Rowan

06-24-2008, 06:40 AM

Originally posted by incidentally
As disturbing as I found the video clip, I personally could not/would not be able to make a decision based soley on it's content. [/*]

exactly! :beer:

Rowan

06-24-2008, 06:47 AM

Originally posted by DoggyDeBardo

Another freedom-hater heard from.

Why don't you move to some country that doesn't have the Constitutional rights that you, apparently, feel we don't need to protect. [/*]

Holy cow! Just because some of us are willing to give LE the benefit of the doubt here, not knowing ALL of the evidence, you make those kinds of comments?

Frankly, the fact that you and others are accepting a video at face value and are willing to condemn LE and the judicial system as corrupt based on that frightens me more than anything.

Zealots rarely listen to the whole story or any other side of it.

Wow. You called him/her a "freedom hater" because more facts were requested before judgment? Man, that is just wrong.

incidentally

06-24-2008, 07:56 AM

Since we've only seen a very short clip of one side of the story I am unwilling to even speculate on this particular event. I did however find this link on "use of force continuum-Ohio". It is written by a gentleman named Samuel Faulkner who is with the Ohio Peace Officer Training Academy.

It is an interesting read (especially page 6).

http://www.ag.state.oh.us/le/training/pubs/useofforce.pdf

John7878

06-24-2008, 08:43 AM

Originally posted by tirante
"..But in the Hope Steffy case I believe..."

The KEY word is-----"believe".

Belief is not factual; thank goodness! [/*]

Right, like you "believe" that the grand jury had more evidence than we have seen so far.

=======================
Originally posted by tirante
Still true. The grand jury had more info than the general public, since a 2 minute tape is all that is available to the

Please post the link to this. Since no information was to be discussed, I'd like to see who posted this.
========================

Or do you have that link I asked for??

John7878

06-24-2008, 10:55 AM

Originally posted by tirante

Of course the GJ had more info than a 2 minute tape. It is foolish to imagine otherwise.

Ohio grand juries:
http://www.ohiobar.org/pub/lycu/index.asp?articleid=62 [/*]

I didn't need a link for a definition of a GJ.

I wanted the link supporting your "belief" that they had more information that we have already seen.

But I see you have over reached yourself with your "beliefs" also.

Since we don't know what they had, why would it be foolish to believe that they had any more than was already shown??
If NO information can be released, how do we know what instructions were given to the jury?
How do we know how well the investigation was conducted?
How do we KNOW they had more info than we have?

All I can base my "belief" on is what I have seen and experienced so far.

The sheriff has been very reluctant to release any audio/video to the news or Steffy's lawyers.

I personally called the sheriff's office after I was contacted by the newsman doing this story, and was told that as of May 6th the sheriff still had NOT released requested video/audio.

I asked if it would EVER be released to the news or Steffy's lawyers, the sheriff's secretary, Carrie said that it would "probably" be released to Steffy's lawyers in discovery.

PROBABLY?!?!?!?! Are they kidding??

BTW The sheriff did not turn over the FIRST tape we saw when Steffy's lawyers asked for all the info....Gee, would THIS be what they mean by 'discovery'?

They had to file to get that tape specifically.

QUOTE: "The 16-page complaint notes in the fifth claim for relief that the sheriff produced thousands of pages of requested records, but “specifically failed to produce the videotape of the strip search.”

So if lawyers ask for evidence in this case, and the sheriff KNOWS he is supposed to turn over ALL evidence in his possession, and its not turned over would this be a crime, or would the sheriff's dept claim it was an 'oversight'?!?!??!

Good thing they asked twice, huh?

John7878

06-24-2008, 02:58 PM

Originally posted by tirante
You win! Obviously, all the GJ had was a blank piece of paper.

Sheeesh! [/*]

All I am saying is that we can't speculate on what they had, because we don't know.

I know its logical to THINK that they would be privy to more info than what we have seen from the news, but it doesn't make it so.

The natural conclusion is since that the jury brought no charges that all parties are innocent. But it can also mean there wasn't enough evidence.

Plus as I pointed out with the Rosenthal case, jury instructions and evidence presented, can sometimes be very skewed.

Originally posted by tirante

What is really disturbing is making a decision based on two minutes of video.

BTW---I NEVER defended ANYTHING! I only said that more info is required to make an informed opinion. [/*]

I have done a LOT more than just watch the different half dozen videos out there.

One of the first things I did was look up Steffy's arrest record. I like to know just who I am standing up for.
Besides this mess, she has nothing, not even a speeding ticket.

I have talked to Stark county prosecutor John Ferrero.

I have talked to the head of the Correctional HealthCare Group, the people that decide who is suicidal at the Stark County jail.

I contacted Court Administrator Richard DeHeer. (He is not related to this case, but to the one involving the three teen girls that were strip searched.)

And others that I posted before.

Now imagine that you have called and left your name & number at least 3 times for Sheriff Jim Swanson to contact you back, with assurances that he will. But he never does.

Now imagine that you call the sheriff's dept and they outright LIE to you.

And then you call the county jail, where the head of the jail again outright LIES to you.

And remember my example above of Steffy's lawyers asking for 'discovery' evidence and then having to come back and specifically ask for the video of her being stripped...?

Now keep in mind that the reporter Tom Myers at WKYC investigated and found the BUILDING video, that was never turned over to Steffy's lawyers. Even though they only asked for the strip video, the sheriff is still required by law to turn over any evidence revelant to the case. But maybe it was yet another 'oversite'.

And then once THIS video was viewed, CLEARLY showing Steffy being paraded down the hall while being video taped, with what looked to be the whole night shift (8 people!), they then asked for the rest of the video being shot.

This is the video the sheriff had NOT turned over to anyone, according to Tom Myers, and the sheriff's dept, at least up to May 6th.

I have more, but I'm a lazy typer.

Anyway you get my drift.

THIS & more is why I question the cops version of what happened, and why I 'believe' this was a case of abuse and cover ups.

sandyfromoh

06-24-2008, 03:09 PM

Originally posted by John7878

All I am saying is that we can't speculate on what they had, because we don't know.

I know its logical to THINK that they would be privy to more info than what we have seen from the news, but it doesn't make it so.

The natural conclusion is since that the jury brought no charges that all parties are innocent. But it can also mean there wasn't enough evidence.

Plus as I pointed out with the Rosenthal case, jury instructions and evidence presented, can sometimes be very skewed.

I have done a LOT more than just watch the different half dozen videos out there.

One of the first things I did was look up Steffy's arrest record. I like to know just who I am standing up for.
Besides this mess, she has nothing, not even a speeding ticket.

I have talked to Stark county prosecutor John Ferrero.

I have talked to the head of the Correctional HealthCare Group, the people that decide who is suicidal at the Stark County jail.

I contacted Court Administrator Richard DeHeer. (He is not related to this case, but to the one involving the three teen girls that were strip searched.)

And others that I posted before.

Now imagine that you have called and left your name & number at least 3 times for Sheriff Jim Swanson to contact you back, with assurances that he will. But he never does.

Now imagine that you call the sheriff's dept and they outright LIE to you.

And then you call the county jail, where the head of the jail again outright LIES to you.

And remember my example above of Steffy's lawyers asking for 'discovery' evidence and then having to come back and specifically ask for the video of her being stripped...?

Now keep in mind that the reporter Tom Myers at WKYC investigated and found the BUILDING video, that was never turned over to Steffy's lawyers. Even though they only asked for the strip video, the sheriff is still required by law to turn over any evidence revelant to the case. But maybe it was yet another 'oversite'.

And then once THIS video was viewed, CLEARLY showing Steffy being paraded down the hall while being video taped, with what looked to be the whole night shift (8 people!), they then asked for the rest of the video being shot.

This is the video the sheriff had NOT turned over to anyone, according to Tom Myers, and the sheriff's dept, at least up to May 6th.

I have more, but I'm a lazy typer.

Anyway you get my drift.

THIS & more is why I question the cops version of what happened, and why I 'believe' this was a case of abuse and cover ups. [/*]

:beer:

John7878

06-25-2008, 05:02 AM

Originally posted by Rescue1
John, just wanted to say that I enjoy your posts. You're obviously putting a lot of effort in, and I not only respect that, I admire it!:patriot: [/*]

Thanks for the thoughts. I appreciate it.

Originally posted by tirante
"...Anyway you get my drift...."

Sure do. An obsessed zealot. [/*]

I'm guessing that you don't enjoy my posts as much? :D

Well in this case you might be right. For some reason this case has hit a nerve with me. And the more I look into it the worse it gets.

Back when I was calling the State Atty General's office, trying to find the name & contact info of the investigators and they kept referring me back to the sheriff's dept....and then the sheriff's dept was telling me that they knew of NO ONE investigating.
Well, on my second call back to them, one of the people at the Atty Gen's office suggested that I say I had evidence to come forward with.

I did not do this. The biggest reason being they could have put anyone on the phone and said they were the investigators.
And I felt that it was wrong to do this.

Still I COULD have been an informer, maybe someone in the next cell that night wanting to come forward with my story.
They didn't know why I wanted to contact the investigators, only that it was in connection with the Hope Steffy case.

Just makes me wonder how many others may have gotten sandbagged trying to contact the investigators and what other evidence never made it to the GJ!?!?

When I talked to Paul Scarsella and told him that the sheriff's secretary and head jailer denied knowing anyone investigating, he pointed out the obvious, THEY were the ones that requested the investigation.

Just the way everything is/was being done.....this whole thing stinks!

John7878

06-25-2008, 08:38 AM

Originally posted by Beebee

snip for space only

John,

What kind of answers did you get from the HealthCare group? [/*]

I was switched to them on a call to the sheriff.

So I didn't have specific questions lined up for them at the time. (I like to have my ducks in a row.)

I have since lined up questions that I was planning on calling to ask about, but wonder what good it would do now.

His basic theme during the conversation was that they were "saving her life".
The same BS the sheriff was peddling.

If I get a call back to them with my questions, I'll post more.

==========================

But I did send the sheriff a email just now 6-25-2008. Since he didn't return my call AGAIN yesterday.

==========================

I have already heard about the grand jury decision.
But I still had a few questions.
Heres a couple series of film strips, both with one of the deputies holding Hope Steffy and the other deputy with his head down at her butt and his hands blurred out at her genitalia.

Q1 Doesn't this qualify as a "visual body cavity" inspection? (So what ARE they doing?)

Q2 Why would men be banned from strip searches and body cavity inspections, but be allowed to be here for a "suicide precaution"? There were plenty of women there to handle the problem.

Q3 Why are the men still here after the women have left, and how long are they continuing to abuse Steffy?? (As you can see there are at least these two sequences, with and without the blanket.)

Q4 The doctor claimed she was TOO suicidal for a suicide suit. Why wasn't she given a paper covering then? Keeping her naked was BS and the only reason I can see is to punish her.

Q5 Why wasn't a restraint chair used, is stripping someone the ONLY method you people use? (BTW if your going to use a weak excuse like prisoners get hurt more in a restraint chair, just remember the broken tooth and bulged disk in Steffy's back before you do.)

Q6 Deputies claim she was drunk, what was her breathalyser reading?

I'd ask some more questions, but I don't expect answers back from these.

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y39/Zemo999/CavityBlue.jpg

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y39/Zemo999/CavityNoBlue.jpg

John7878

06-25-2008, 02:01 PM

Originally posted by John7878

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y39/Zemo999/CavityBlue.jpg

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y39/Zemo999/CavityNoBlue.jpg [/*]

Sorry links went bad, here they all are:

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y39/Zemo999/CavityBlue.jpg

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y39/Zemo999/CavityNoBlue.jpg

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y39/Zemo999/Steff1.jpg

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y39/Zemo999/Steff2.jpg

sandyfromoh

06-25-2008, 03:06 PM

Originally posted by John7878

Sorry links went bad, here they all are:

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y39/Zemo999/CavityBlue.jpg

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y39/Zemo999/CavityNoBlue.jpg

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y39/Zemo999/Steff1.jpg

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y39/Zemo999/Steff2.jpg [/*]

Thanks for the links John, amazing!!!!! I just can't stomach watching this. I sure hope Hope gets justice with all she went through, and I'm sure she would appreciate all you are doing, you are really a great guy and I don't even know you.

John7878

06-26-2008, 07:29 AM

Originally posted by sandyfromoh

Thanks for the links John, amazing!!!!! I just can't stomach watching this. I sure hope Hope gets justice with all she went through, and I'm sure she would appreciate all you are doing, you are really a great guy and I don't even know you. [/*]

Thanks. A lot of these people I contact ask me if I know Steffy or not. I tell them I don't know her and have never spoken to her. I just know what happened to her is WRONG!

Oh, I also get a lot of "just who are you?". I tell them "I'm just a citizen thats wondering what happened to our country. Why is there a big secret that your not supposed to tell me?"

I just can't believe Swanson and the State.

Men can not be present in a strip search.

Men can not be present in a body cavity search.

Men are not even supposed to be where they can SEE women in showers.

But after 2 years and NO mention of anything, just as the grand jury thing is going on, Swanson then comes out in a grandstand play and says that men are not only allowed to view a forced stripping of a woman during a "suicide prevention", they are actually allowed to PARTICIPATE!!!!! And with 8 people there, we had spectators too! (OMG!!! Why don't they just sell tickets!??!?!)

If the grand jury was told this same fairy tale and was instructed by the judge to allow for it, I can see why they might have found "no evidence".

And Swanson is stupid enough to think that this will resolve this!??!?!?!

That people will NOW think that its "all ok" because Sheriff Swanson says its allowed!??!?!

And to top it off, somehow the state is going along with it!?!? (My guess is liability.) (?)

I was born at night....but it wasn't last night.....I'm not buying this garbage.

:flamemad:

sandyfromoh

06-26-2008, 09:27 AM

Originally posted by Beebee

This whole suicide prevention BS is outrageous! :flamemad:

How did they determine they were preventing a suicide??? :flamemad:

They are SICK!!! [/*]

Amazing that women that are taken to Stark County Jail are ALL SUICIDAL!!!!!!:flamemad:

John7878

06-26-2008, 09:10 PM

Originally posted by Rescue1
"If the grand jury was told this same fairy tale and was instructed by the judge to allow for it, I can see why they might have found "no evidence".

That's a BIG if, John. Admittedly, you don't know what they were presented with.... [/*]

Your right, I don't know.

I don't even know if they saw the original video. Maybe they decided it would be too prejudicial, who knows.

Swanson claims we are seeing the video out of context.

I just can't imagine under what "context" that they think this would be "Ok".

Do you?

And this whole policy of stripping anyone they consider a suicide risk. Where did that come from?

I have been looking over studies about this. Even experienced psychiatrists can NOT tell if someone is actually suicidal, so how can they with one question or even a 5min interview?

And the practice of stripping a person is in question by professionals.

Heres one link to a study:

http://www.ncchc.org/education/past/mentalhealth2004/handouts/suicide_prevention.pdf

Why not use restraint chairs?
When I talked to Paul Scarsella, he claimed that the prisoners were more likely to injure themselves with the chairs.
I haven't found anything to back up this claim and I doubt that Steffy, with a broken tooth, bulged disk, and traumatized for the rest of her life, would agree.

These officials can polish this turd all they want......it still stinks.

John7878

06-26-2008, 09:21 PM

Originally posted by John7878

I have already heard about the grand jury decision.
But I still had a few questions.
Heres a couple series of film strips, both with one of the deputies holding Hope Steffy and the other deputy with his head down at her butt and his hands blurred out at her genitalia.

Q1 Doesn't this qualify as a "visual body cavity" inspection? (So what ARE they doing?)

Q2 Why would men be banned from strip searches and body cavity inspections, but be allowed to be here for a "suicide precaution"? There were plenty of women there to handle the problem.

Q3 Why are the men still here after the women have left, and how long are they continuing to abuse Steffy?? (As you can see there are at least these two sequences, with and without the blanket.)

Q4 The doctor claimed she was TOO suicidal for a suicide suit. Why wasn't she given a paper covering then? Keeping her naked was BS and the only reason I can see is to punish her.

Q5 Why wasn't a restraint chair used, is stripping someone the ONLY method you people use? (BTW if your going to use a weak excuse like prisoners get hurt more in a restraint chair, just remember the broken tooth and bulged disk in Steffy's back before you do.)

Q6 Deputies claim she was drunk, what was her breathalyser reading?

I'd ask some more questions, but I don't expect answers back from these.

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y39/Zemo999/CavityBlue.jpg

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y39/Zemo999/CavityNoBlue.jpg [/*]

When I sent this email to the sheriff I asked for a return receipt.

===========================
Your message

To: strkshrf@raex.com
Subject: Questions
Sent: Wed, June 25, 2008 8:22 am

Was displayed on Wed, June 25, 2008 12:17 pm
===========================

If I get a reply, I'll post it.

sandyfromoh

06-26-2008, 10:55 PM

Originally posted by Rescue1
"If the grand jury was told this same fairy tale and was instructed by the judge to allow for it, I can see why they might have found "no evidence".

That's a BIG if, John. Admittedly, you don't know what they were presented with....And Sandy, if 'women taken....ALL suicidal' were a true statement, why are you just 'outraged' now??? Link to */u that statement...... or please stop exaggerating. [/*]

Here are your links!!!
More Stark County Strip Searches:

Strip search case prompts 5th woman to come forward http://www.wkyc.com/news/news_article.aspx?storyid=88666&provider=gnews | Play Video for Channel 3 News Investigator Tom Meyer's report | Trouble Viewing? Using a Mac? Click here to launch the stand-alone player.

Stark County Strip Search- Four more women come forward with similar stories; Exclusive: http://www.wkyc.com/news/news_article.aspx?storyid=84243&provider=gnews

Stark County Teen girls say they were strip-searched, harassed at juvy detention center- http://www.wickedlocal.com/ghs-newsservice/regional_news/midwest/ohio/news/x1846588869

John7878

06-27-2008, 01:20 AM

Originally posted by Rescue1
You got my point, you don't know. You know I respect your work, and efforts , John. I look fwd to your continued updates.... [/*]

Well I was looking forward to hearing your view. (I asked for it above.)

Even if I have someone that disagrees with me, I may get a different angle on the problem. And realize I what I need to confirm or investigate to complete the whole picture.

Heres a few links:

Hope Steffy stripped by Stark County and left naked for 6 hours
http://www.wkyc.com/video/player.aspx?aid=53707&sid=82447&bw=hi&cat=2

The Second Hope Steffy tape:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lRhyiXJ91CQ&feature=related

Four more women come forward in Hope Steffy case:
http://www.wkyc.com/news/news_article.aspx?storyid=84243&provider=gnews

May6-Fifth Woman Comes forward in Steffy case
http://www.wkyc.com/news/news_article.aspx?storyid=88666

State AG to investigate Steffy abuse
http://www.wkyc.com/video/player.aspx?sid=82866&aid=54225

Link to Steffy’s lawsuit:
http://pamelahennessy.com/steffey.pdf

CBS news analyzes Police abuse tapes:
http://search.cbsnews.com/?source=cbs&q=Hope+Steffy&x=0&y=0

Link to ALL WKYC News videos of Hope Steffy
http://search.wkyc.com/sp?aff=100&keywords=Hope+Steffey&submit=Go

Teen Girls Strip Searched:
http://www.cantonrep.com/index.php?ID=373098&Category=15&subCategoryID=0

Link to Stark county Sheriff’s webpage that states they have not found a weapon in YEARS with strip searches.
http://www.sheriff.co.stark.oh.us/jail-facts.htm#health

And in the course of Googling about Steffy, heres some others I have run across:

Missouri Cop going nuts after a kid just asks a couple questions.
http://www.thenewspaper.com/news/19/1961.asp

Police Hang Quadriplegic Man Over 4′ Wall to Search Him
Written on October 22, 2007
http://www.thefreelibrary.com/Police+allegedly+hang+quadriplegic+man-a01610788481
http://www.offbeat-news.com/2007/10/18/police-hang-a-quadriplegic-man/

A judge ruled that two Chicago police officers unreasonably searched a man with a screwdriver = they sodomized him.
A settlement of $4 million was reached BEFORE the verdict IF the victim was favored.
http://www.wispid.com/blog/chicago-police-officers-search-man-w-screwdriver/

Off-Duty Chicago Cop Caught On Tape Beating Female Bartender - March 21
The officer, Anthony Abbate, has been in trouble with the law before and when CBS 2's Dave Savini first interviewed him, he had been charged with a DUI, among other things.
http://cbs2chicago.com/slideshows/popular.videos.2007.20.607838.html?rid=2

School Administrator And Former Police Officer Charged With Sexual Assault Against Student
Created: 4/1/2008 6:32:04 PM
Last updated: 4/2/2008 9:13:39 AM
http://content.stlmomsworld.com/news/news_article.aspx?storyid=143409

Officer linked to 3 settlements
Now accused of rape, city 'flex squad' member had role in run-ins that led to suits against city
By Gus G. Sentementes | Sun reporter January 25, 2006
http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/local/bal-md.settlement25jan25,1,3179302.story?coll=bal-local-headlines

Authorities say a Hamtramck police officer used a Taser stun gun on his partner during an argument about stopping for a soft drink.
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/10378923/

State Trooper Must Pay $1M For Making Couple Strip
Jeremy Dozier Was Accused Of Making Couples Run Around Naked In Cook, Lake Counties
http://cbs2chicago.com/topstories/Jeremy.Dozier.Illinois.2.338245.html

Chicago Cop beats English teacher Robin Petrovic
http://www.liveleak.com/view?i=c4a_1191476328

Trooper beats woman after traffic stop:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VCrc-3-I82U&feature=related

Students win $450K settlement due to strip search
http://www.libertarianrock.com/topics/stripsearch/nyc_strip_search_ring_2005_bronx.html

In Doe v. Groody, 361 F.3d 232 (3d Cir. 2004), cert. denied, 125 S. Ct. 111 (2004), Judge Alito
They took aim at his writings, which advocated expansive presidential powers, and hit him hard on his position in a case in which he sided with police officers who strip searched a 10-year-old girl even though their search warrant didn't authorize it.
http://www.boston.com/news/nation/washington/articles/2006/01/11/alito_backs_privacy_asserts_an_open_mind_on_aborti on/

Safford Middle School officials did not violate the civil rights of a 13-year-old Safford girl when they forced her to disrobe and expose her breasts and pubic area four years ago while looking for a drug, according to the Ninth U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals ruling.
http://digg.com/world_news/13_Year_Old_Girl_Stripsearched_in_Public_for_Ibupr ofen_Court_says_it_s_ok

Police strip-search curfew violators
By Kristen Elise Pope
Dangerous criminals should be handcuffed, strip searched for weapons, and detained. There's no question about that. But does a teenage curfew violator fit that description? It does in Sioux Falls.
http://www.libertarianrock.com/topics/curfew/curfew_strip_srch_sd.html

Strip-searched students receive $5,000 each
A Greene County, Virginia High School settled a law-suit over a mass strip-search by paying $5,000 to each of the 28 students named in the suit.
http://www.libertarianrock.com/topics/stripsearch/5000search.html

Students Stripped to Find Stolen CDs
http://www.libertarianrock.com/topics/stripsearch/cdsearch.html

Doe v. Calumet City (1995)
The police department of Calumet City, Illinois believed that it was reasonable to strip search every woman who was arrested for a misdemeanor or ordinance violation, even though the illegality of this practice had been established years before in challenges to the Chicago strip search policy.
The case was settled for a sum slightly in excess if six million dollars after the district court granted summary judgment in favor of the plaintiff class on liability.
http://www.kenlaw.com/representative/policemisconduct.html

CAUGHT ON TAPE: Man Takes Blows From Paramedic - June 12
Attorneys in a multi-million dollar lawsuit released a videotape showing a Chicago Fire Department paramedic beating a man who refused treatment. CBS 2's Roseanne Tellez
http://cbs2chicago.com/slideshows/popular.videos.2007.20.607838.html?rid=3

- Justin Volpe, the New York City police officer who admitted sodomizing a prisoner with a broken broomstick, was sentenced Monday to 30 years in prison.
http://archives.cnn.com/1999/US/12/13/volpe.sentencing.02/index.html

John7878

06-27-2008, 11:20 AM

I today 6-27-2008 called Jim Gravelle, the press secretary.

I asked him the same question:

Why would men be banned from strip searches and body cavity inspections, and not even supposed to be allowed where they can SEE a woman in the showers, but be allowed not only to be present for a "suicide precaution", with a woman being forcibly stripped naked, but actually be allowed to participate???

Reply: You mean the policy?

Me: Yes, who is making this decision.

Reply: The sheriff's dept.

Me: So he can never do anything wrong, because he is making up the rules????

Reply: It hasn't been 'challenged' yet, there is a lawsuit pending. But the grand jury didn't file charges.

Me: SO did the grand jury see this same video that we saw?

Reply: I can't comment on that, all evidence is confidential.

Me: Do other counties have this same "policy" where men can be present during a suicide prevention?

Reply: I have been told there are.

Me: This is looking REALLY bad and makes no sense. I can't think of any more questions at the moment, but if I think of more can I contact you back?

Reply: Sure, no problem. If you have more concerns please contact me.

===========================

You people in other counties had better be making some calls PRONTO!!!

John7878

06-30-2008, 10:22 AM

My opinion is this whole thing is about the police punishing Steffy.

Its all a setup.

WHY?

Just look at the way things were done/happened.

The original investigation goes from being a domestic dispute, to a argument between the deputy and Steffy about her sisters license.

The deputy can argue that only reasonable force was used when he threw her on the hood and allegedly broke her tooth. And when he threw her on the ground and had his knee in her back so hard a relative had to yell at him to stop.
Was it reasonable?
I don't think so, I think he realized this and why he then changed this to a charge against Steffy, to cover himself. But this point is arguable.

We have Steffy declared suicidal. Another arguable point.

Then we have Steffy allegedly attacked by cops at the station after her question about the question of being suicidal. Again arguable.

And then we have men helping to forcibly strip a handcuffed woman completely naked.

Swanson can argue that it is allowed, but WHY was it done when there were enough women there?
Why do the men STAY in the cell after she is stripped naked and the women have left? (links again at bottom of page)

This is the point where all the speculation and the plausibility of the deputies story starts to fall apart.

Then the killer blow to their excuses that they were not punishing Steffy, they were "just doing their job", to "save her life" is what happens next.

THEY LEAVE HER NAKED!

Their excuse? "She was TOO suicidal for a suicide suit." Huh? TOO suicidal for a garment DESIGNED for this situation??!?! TOO suicidal for even a paper covering??

THIS is where all the speculation of what was really happening turns.

THIS is where we find out what was REALLY going on.

THIS is NOT an arguable point, THIS is NOT up for speculation.

THIS was done to punish, humiliate, and degrade Hope Steffy.

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y39/Zemo999/CavityBlue.jpg

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y39/Zemo999/CavityNoBlue.jpg

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y39/Zemo999/Steff1.jpg

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y39/Zemo999/Steff2.jpg

sandyfromoh

06-30-2008, 03:18 PM

[QUOTE]Originally posted by John7878

THIS is NOT an arguable point, THIS is NOT up for speculation.

THIS was done to punish, humiliate, and degrade Hope Steffy.

John, I appreciate so much what you are doing, and how concerned you are, and I pray for Hope to get the justice she deserves. Like I've said so many times, I don't care what she did, she didn't deserve the treatment and humiliation she was given. The motto for the police in LA(California) is "to protect and serve", guess that doesn't apply to Stark County Sheriffs Dept. in Ohio!!!

John7878

07-01-2008, 11:27 AM

Originally posted by sandyfromoh

John, I appreciate so much what you are doing, and how concerned you are [/*]

I don't see how anyone can watch this video and NOT be concerned.

Will people wait till its their wife, sister or daughter?

I have also sent this email to press secretary Jim Gravelle, with a return receipt requested.

jgravelle@ag.state.oh.us

Everyone has denied Hope Steffy was 'strip searched' or that even a 'visual' body cavity search was done to her.

Could you tell me what IS happening then in these two film strips?

In the "no blanket" series, Hopes head is on the bunk, while the deputies head is at her butt and his hands blurred out.

In the "blue blanket" series, Hope is forced further up on the bunk, so her genitals are higher, and AGAIN the deputies head is down at her butt and his hands blurred out in her genital area.

=============
If I get a reply or a return receipt, I'll post it.

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y39/Zemo999/CavityNoBlue.jpg

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y39/Zemo999/CavityBlue.jpg

John7878

07-02-2008, 06:08 PM

Called the sheriff's again today 7-2-2008.
Got a hold of someone in the Correctional Healthcare Group, but it wasn't the head guy this time.

I asked about the doctors, if they had them there 24/7. And the woman said "No, but that they had them by phone, when they needed them."

So I tried to ask about what kind of degree the doctor had and what training/degree the staff there had.

She asked what all the questions were for. And I told her I had heard about the Hope Steffy case and I had a few questions.

As soon as she heard THAT name, she said that they couldn't release ANY information.

I said I'm not asking for any information about her.
I'm asking general questions.

She said she couldn't answer any, but would transfer me to the Sargent.

I asked about the head of the Group and she said he's not in at the moment, would I like to leave a name & number.

I said I have tried that a few times at the sheriff's dept, it just never seemed to work out, no one ever called.

So I said to go ahead and transfer me to the sarge.

Well he wasn't there either....big surprise.

It always seems once they hear the name Hope Steffy, a wall of resistance goes up.

:cuss:

sandyfromoh

07-02-2008, 06:48 PM

Originally posted by John7878
Called the sheriff's again today 7-2-2008.

It always seems once they hear the name Hope Steffy, a wall of resistance goes up.

:cuss: [/*]

Just UnBelievable!!!! barf

sandyfromoh

07-19-2008, 10:47 AM

Since the Board has been down, wondering if anything new is happening????
I haven't heard anything on the news.

John7878

07-19-2008, 10:38 PM

Originally posted by sandyfromoh
Since the Board has been down, wondering if anything new is happening????
I haven't heard anything on the news. [/*]

Well I left my name & number for the Correctional Health care Group to call me back.

But instead I got someone from the jail.

She said she was told that I wanted the policy for a suicide prevention.

I said I never asked for the policy, I just wanted to ask some questions.

I asked if she had talked to the grand jury investigators and knew who they were, AGAIN I was told they couldn't talk about the Steffy case, and AGAIN I told them I just asked about the INVESTIGATORS, not Steffy.
She never would say, more straight shooting from Stark County's finest!

I also said had general questions about the Health care Group.

I asked a few questions and she didn't know the answers.:rolleyes:

She said the officers didn't do anything wrong, and I tried to explain that YES, they had done something wrong. Their whole 'policy' was BS!!

She then repeated what Swanson said about being passed by state review.
I said thats a crock! I have already talked to Butch at the Bureau of Adult Detention*. The only thing the state looks for is that you HAVE a policy. They do NOT approve the one you have in place. Then I asked who wrote up theirs and she claimed to not know.

Also I brought up if the officers did nothing wrong why does a wall of silence/resistance go up at the jail whenever Steffy's name
is brought up? I can never get a straight answer from anyone. And yes I know they can't talk about the Steffy case, but they won't talk about ANY general questions either.

So she said it was not true and she offered to answer my questions.

Ok, I have ONE more question, I said.
How can anyone be TOO suicidal for a suicide suit MADE for the situation, or even a paper covering?

Her answer? "You'd be surprised"

Gee, nothing like getting a straight answer from the Stark County people huh??!?!?

Anyone else want to try to get a straight answer to this question?

Call Vivian
1-330-430-3867
This is a direct line to her I think, if not shes at extension # 3867

PS they are supposed to be sending me a copy of the suicide policy and the transcripts from Steffy's first trial.
She claims that if I had that, I'd know what was "really" happening.

But I think I already have it pegged what REALLY happened....and what continues to happen!!

*Bureau of Adult Detention
614-752-1062 Butch Hunyadi

sandyfromoh

07-19-2008, 11:24 PM

Originally posted by John7878

Anyone else want to try to get a straight answer to this question?

Call Vivian
1-330-430-3867
This is a direct line to her I think, if not shes at extension # 3867

PS they are supposed to be sending me a copy of the suicide policy and the transcripts from Steffy's first trial.
She claims that if I had that, I'd know what was "really" happening.

But I think I already have it pegged what REALLY happened....and what continues to happen!!

*Bureau of Adult Detention
614-752-1062 Butch Hunyadi [/*]

John, God Bless you for your determenation and follow through, I would call but I am too close (distance) to Stark County and have a big mouth and would end up being arrested. This and the good policemen who have sacrificed their lives, just urks me to no end.
We had a policeman who pulled over a guy for loud music and driving like he was drunk. The policeman called for backup and then he no longer answered the dispatcher. Turns out the guy he pulled over shot him 4 times in the head. The guy is pleading self defense, even though the officer's gun was still buckled in his holster. Plus the officer had a policedog in the car that he never opened the door for, some self defense. The officer leaves behind a wife and a baby. I see this officer and than I look at the Hope Steffey tapes and wonder where the justice is anymore.

John7878

07-20-2008, 12:24 AM

Originally posted by sandyfromoh

John, God Bless you for your determenation and follow through, I would call but I am too close (distance) to Stark County and have a big mouth and would end up being arrested. This and the good policemen who have sacrificed their lives, just urks me to no end.
We had a policeman who pulled over a guy for loud music and driving like he was drunk. The policeman called for backup and then he no longer answered the dispatcher. Turns out the guy he pulled over shot him 4 times in the head. The guy is pleading self defense, even though the officer's gun was still buckled in his holster. Plus the officer had a policedog in the car that he never opened the door for, some self defense. The officer leaves behind a wife and a baby. I see this officer and than I look at the Hope Steffey tapes and wonder where the justice is anymore. [/*]

If I was that close I'd REALLY be a pain in their backside!!
I would be there with a giant poster on my trailer for Swanson's Aug 11th fund raiser for his reelection!!

Yeah I worry about my nephew. I tried to talk him out of becoming a cop, but to no avail.
Plus I thought he'd be one of the cops that just want the badge & gun, but actually he's turned out pretty good.

Another guy I worked with became a sheriff's deputy and he is a 'bad' cop. Nice guy if you know him, but I wouldn't want to be pulled over by him if he didn't know you. He's the type cop that Steffy ran into, he could just give the dead sisters license back and defuse the whole thing, but instead would be a dick like the cop that arrested Steffy.

Another thing that gets me is when you talk to these people and they say "You just don't know the type of people we deal with every day".

Well YES, I DO know...but for you people to sit and complain about them is like a guy that becomes a mail man and then complains about all the walking he has to do!!
If you don't like the job, or can't handle it, LEAVE! Its time to go to barber college.

:cuss:

John7878

07-22-2008, 12:54 PM

Originally posted by sandyfromoh

John, God Bless you for your determenation and follow through, I would call but I am too close (distance) to Stark County and have a big mouth and would end up being arrested. [/*]

Well if your afraid of the cops I guess we ARE in a police state.

Talked to the Director of Correctional Healthcare.

I asked for the name of the Doc that signed for the suicide watch for Steffy.

Said he wouldn't give out the name on a active case.

So I asked for all the docs names, not just on a case.

He refused.

I asked what the big secret was.

He said he wasn't going to give out the names, that this was a correctional facility.

I said isn't it a PUBLIC correctional facility?

How about a Freedom of information request.

He said I'd have to contact the people for that.

I asked who that would be.

He said thats your job to find out.

Gee, and then they wonder WHY people are suspicious of their actions!?!??!

sandyfromoh

07-22-2008, 01:10 PM

[QUOTE]Originally posted by John7878

Well if your afraid of the cops I guess we ARE in a police state.

I'm not afraid of cops, just STARK COUNTY Sheriffs!! I have to drive down there and am afraid as it is, so don't want to add anything that would have them stop me, because if what happened to Hope happened to me, I'd never go out of the house again. That's why this has upset me so much. I talked to a friend of mine who is a Xcop and told him about Hope and he said Stark County has a bad reputation. What a surprise!!! NOT!!I pray the people who live in Stark County don't re-elect this so called sheriff, and pray that Hope gets everything she is sueing for and pray that all those on the tape are fired. Better yet, I'd love to see them treated the way they treated Hope.

sandyfromoh

08-07-2008, 02:13 PM

Has anyone heard anything? I've not heard a word about this, and wonder if anything is going on, or are they waiting for the civil case. Too bad the civil case is after the election!

John7878

08-08-2008, 04:50 AM

Originally posted by sandyfromoh
Has anyone heard anything? I've not heard a word about this, and wonder if anything is going on, or are they waiting for the civil case. Too bad the civil case is after the election! [/*]

After the elections, yeah isn't THAT a coincidence?

I was out of the country for a while, but am back now and I have read a copy of Hope Steffy's trial transcript.

To say her lawyer was inept is to insult inept people everywhere.

I can not believe this woman passed a bar exam!!

But basically it came to the jury taking the word of the cop, over the word of two witnesses.

Steffy's lawyer should have been all over the cop about the video, but she touches on it once and then says nothing more about it.

UNBELIEVABLE!

Yeah the sheriff's dept is trying like heck to delay everything until the trial! Like any information about what is really going on.

sandyfromoh

08-22-2008, 10:46 PM

Originally posted by John7878

After the elections, yeah isn't THAT a coincidence?

I was out of the country for a while, but am back now and I have read a copy of Hope Steffy's trial transcript.

To say her lawyer was inept is to insult inept people everywhere.

I can not believe this woman passed a bar exam!!

But basically it came to the jury taking the word of the cop, over the word of two witnesses.

Steffy's lawyer should have been all over the cop about the video, but she touches on it once and then says nothing more about it.

UNBELIEVABLE!

Yeah the sheriff's dept is trying like heck to delay everything until the trial! Like any information about what is really going on. [/*]

Sorry I haven't commented, but have been really busy, and haven't heard anything new. There has been nothing on the news at all, and WKYC said they would keep up the investigation, so much for the media doing what they say!!

John7878

08-23-2008, 03:48 PM

Originally posted by sandyfromoh

Sorry I haven't commented, but have been really busy, and haven't heard anything new. There has been nothing on the news at all, and WKYC said they would keep up the investigation, so much for the media doing what they say!! [/*]

I have been busy too. And there isn't much to report since the judge said the case couldn't be discussed, and the sheriff's dept is trying not to let ANY information out about what they do, what their policies are, who is doing what, whats their names....nothing!

I have been tempted to call Steffy's first lawyer that she had in her trial and see whats up with her.
But I have been busy too with stuff around the house. I still haven't forgotten about this though. I still post on other boards & stuff. They need to elect a different sheriff & county prosecutor.

sandyfromoh

08-23-2008, 09:01 PM

Originally posted by John7878

I have been busy too. And there isn't much to report since the judge said the case couldn't be discussed, and the sheriff's dept is trying not to let ANY information out about what they do, what their policies are, who is doing what, whats their names....nothing!

I have been tempted to call Steffy's first lawyer that she had in her trial and see whats up with her.
But I have been busy too with stuff around the house. I still haven't forgotten about this though. I still post on other boards & stuff. They need to elect a different sheriff & county prosecutor. [/*]

It's only a couple more months until the trial, and if I hear anything before the trial, will let you know!! I thank you for all the hard work you've done, and I hope that Hope Steffy is aware of all you've done. When the trial is over, I will try to communicate with either her or her husband, and make sure!!!:rose:

John7878

08-24-2008, 11:27 PM

Originally posted by sandyfromoh

It's only a couple more months until the trial, and if I hear anything before the trial, will let you know!! I thank you for all the hard work you've done, and I hope that Hope Steffy is aware of all you've done. When the trial is over, I will try to communicate with either her or her husband, and make sure!!!:rose: [/*]

I have a few questions for the Grand Jury that found NO “criminal wrongdoing while arresting Hope Steffy” by any of the deputies.

Ok first I have to assume that the official policy of the sheriff’s dept is that the deputies ONLY have to turn on their video cameras whenever they ’feel like it’.
The arresting deputy had a body mic & video control and could have started taping ANYTIME he wanted.

He testified twice that he was ’out in the middle of nowhere’. But he doesn’t turn the video recorder on.

Then he testified that there were several people standing in the driveway. But he doesn’t turn the video recorder on.

Next he alleged that Steffy was loud & disorderly. But he doesn’t turn the video recorder on.

Then he says that she ’poked’ him. But he doesn’t turn the video recorder on.

After that he says he decided to make an arrest. But he doesn’t turn the video recorder on.

Then he testifies that after he has her on the ground that he is 'worried about what the people might do to him', because maybe ’they didn’t like the way I was doing things’. So he calls for backup. But he doesn’t turn the video recorder on.

After he’s taken the VICTIM and assaulted her and put her in the back seat of his cruiser and she’s mad and cussing him, THEN he turns on the recorder!
And then he wants us to believe that THIS is the way she was the WHOLE time.
Is this the way taxpayer equipment is supposed to be used?

Then in trial transcripts the arresting deputy and the backup deputy had exactly the same testimony of Hope Steffy.
They both said she was staggering, slurring her words and smelled of alcohol.
The backup deputy continued his testimony by saying that he didn’t get there until Hope was being put in the back of the squad car.
How do you deduce that someone is drunk, staggering and slurring her words from seeing someone in the back seat!?!?

Ok, then we have the video of Steffy being stripped, she asks the staff ’what they are doing’. Do you hear her ’slur ’ her words?

And once you allege that someone is highly intoxicated, doesn’t it seem necessary to do a breathalyzer? But none was done here.

Next we have the arresting deputy testifying in court that he had to escalate the amount of force to arrest Steffy. He testifies that you start out not touching anyone and escalate the force necessary, that is why he testified that he ’pushed her against the trunk of his cruiser’.
How do you break someone’s tooth by a push?

He then testifies that he had to grab her by her right arm and swung her to the ground to get the cuffs on.
How do you have someone bleeding from their nose and give them a bulged disk in their back by swinging them down to the ground?

He says that he used all this force, because she was "resisting arrest".
Later in the trial he admits that Steffy slipped a hand out of her cuffs, but she TELLS him about it and never tries to escape! (Or resist without her arm being in a arm bar.)

This deputy dishes out serving after serving of BS and the grand jury doesn’t see anything wrong!??!?!
The other prosecution witnesses say this is NOT how things happened, but now we have no video evidence.
I have heard of officers that have been fired over not turning on their cameras, but it warrants no charges in this case?

And then we get to the jail staff. By LAW, men can’t be present during a strip search, body cavity search, or even by policy, supposed to be where they can SEE women in the showers. But Swanson’s “policy” ‘SAYS’ its ‘ok’ for men to not only VIEW a forced stripping naked of a woman in a ‘suicide prevention’, they are allowed to PARTICIPATE and help remove her cloths!!!

This policy isn’t aligned with existing laws, it isn’t logical, it isn’t reasonable and it certainly isn’t moral.
So how does the grand jury buy into this fairytale?? They see NO criminal acts by these people, even as other experts across the country say otherwise?

After she’s forcibly stripped naked, the women leave and the MEN stay.
The men manipulate her legs and body around with a deputies head level with her butt.
Authorities say THIS is not a search, but they haven’t said what it IS.
From the tape it sure LOOKS like a search, no matter WHAT they claim!

But WHATEVER it is, it is done REPEATDLY to Steffy, and the grand jury buys into their explanation!?!??! (Whatever it is.)

And for the final piece of evidence of what was really going on that night we have the jail staff alleging that Steffy was TOO suicidal to be given ANY covering of any kind, so she was left naked for hours in the cell.
She was TOO suicidal for a suicide suit DESIGNED for the purpose?
She was TOO suicidal for a paper covering?

I didn’t see that in the video when they finally stopped assaulting her, all I saw was a traumatized woman who was humiliated, embarrassed and scared to death.
But the grand jury bought into this too!?!?!? Are you kidding me??
(Just ask ANY of the state officials HOW someone can be TOO suicidal for a paper covering, they have NO answer!) Because there IS NONE!! Its inexcusable!

But the grand jury can find NO criminal actions by the police????

sandyfromoh

08-25-2008, 02:30 PM

[Originally posted by John7878

But the grand jury can find NO criminal actions by the police???? [/*][/QUOTE]

The more I hear the more outraged I am, is this still a free country? GOD help the USA!!!

John7878

08-25-2008, 10:37 PM

Originally posted by sandyfromoh
The more I hear the more outraged I am, is this still a free country? GOD help the USA!!! [/*]

I wish I could type in the whole trial transcript.

Steffy also testified they ripped both her ears when they removed her earrings.

Does THIS sound like people that are there trying to "save your life" or that even care what happens to you!?!??!

:flamemad:

sandyfromoh

08-25-2008, 10:50 PM

Originally posted by John7878

I wish I could type in the whole trial transcript.

Steffy also testified they ripped both her ears when they removed her earrings.

Does THIS sound like people that are there trying to "save your life" or that even care what happens to you!?!??!

:flamemad: [/*]

This is really out of hand, something has to be done, and I'm going to email your quotes to the reporter who first had the story on WKYC here in Cleveland. Will let you know if I hear anything.

John7878

08-26-2008, 07:34 AM

Originally posted by sandyfromoh

This is really out of hand, something has to be done, and I'm going to email your quotes to the reporter who first had the story on WKYC here in Cleveland. Will let you know if I hear anything. [/*]

Well I called the sheriff's office AGAIN yesterday to ask if they were still using the "Critical Response Team" to strip people.

Right away the sheriff's secretary said that it wasn't a 'strip search'.

I replied that I never said anything about a strip search, I said stripping people.

She came back with that they were following 'policy'.

I said I'm not asking what your policy is, I'm asking of you are still having a "Critical Response Team" made up of men & women stripping people.

She quickly said that they were following 'policy' again, and then she hung up on me!

This wasn't the first time it happened, but it still ticked me off.

So I called back and told her not to be hanging up on me, that I wasn't done with my questions. And that I also wanted to know what their 'policy' is on when a deputy has to turn on his camera.
She said she'd transfer me to human resources.
:cuss:

Vivianne, and I have talked a few times. She is about the only one at the jail that WILL talk.
So I asked her about when the tapes are supposed to roll.

"Its depends on the situation" she said.

So your official policy is that the cop just turns it on whenever he feels like it??? You don't have anything written down on when it should be used?

"Yes we have a written policy, do you want me to send you a copy?"

Yes, and also the 'suicide prevention' policy too.

We talked a bit more, but then she said she had to get back to work...so I guess answering questions is just a sideline to her job.

:D

John7878

08-26-2008, 08:22 AM

Oh just for the curious, heres a picture of where the Hope Steffy incident happened.

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y39/Zemo999/1154WeimerDrive.jpg

The arresting deputy also testified that a reason he arrested her was that he was afraid that her disturbance would "generate more calls to the sheriff's dept."

Then in later testimony he said that there could have been no other witnesses to what was going on, because they lived too far away.

Just another one of many discrepancies of the cops testimony.

But with the photo, you can judge.

sandyfromoh

09-03-2008, 11:06 AM

Sorry haven't been posting lately, was waiting for a reply from the reporter Tom Myers from WKYC. He hasn't replied at this time and I'm wondering if everything is being put on hold, perhaps there is a law suit pending against the station? Seems like the whole thing is being swept under the carpet.
They even moved this thread under current crimes instead of open court! I was wondering why I hadn't heard anything!! (I was subscribed to the open court thread). Now I'm subscribed to this thread and will post if I ever get an answer from WKYC.:flamemad:

John7878

09-08-2008, 09:47 PM

Well we have another uTube poster.

This one claims to work at Stark County jail.

I can believe it, another "edited" video, with comments off, so no one can ask questions or dispute anything presented.

(Does ANY video come out of the sheriff's dept that isn't edited!??!?!)

ALL one sided....yup, Stark County for sure!!!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sfm8b0Q6MOk

:shrug:

sandyfromoh

09-08-2008, 10:34 PM

What a CROCK!! I really pray they (Stark County) get what they deserve! Thanks for sharing John, don't know what I'd do without your updates!!

John7878

09-09-2008, 02:52 PM

What a CROCK!! I really pray they (Stark County) get what they deserve! Thanks for sharing John, don't know what I'd do without your updates!!

I don't know whats wrong there at Stark County, maybe something in the water!?!

So if they tear Steffy down and make her look like the town drunken SIut, it will make the cops actions look better?!?! It will then justify what was done to her???

See........this is what they STILL don't get.

Just because they have to deal with people accused of criminal behavior, does NOT give them the right to behave like criminals too!!!

Like I said before, I'm not an idiot, I have no doubt that Steffy was being a pain that night.
I also have no doubt that the officer crossed the line when dealing with her and abused her under the "color of law".

If they can't deal with people in a professional manner, then they need to get out of the profession. Its time for them to try barber college.

And believe me, I have been in contact and talked to a LOT of people connected with this.

I have talked to Stark County jail staff....and I want to tell you NO one, is handling this in a professional manner.

Even Vivianne, in human resources, who has been the ONLY helpful person at Stark County has been unable to explain officers actions in any way that is reasonable, logical, legal or moral. And has changed the subject more than once in conversations.

Sort of hard to claim the high moral ground when your actions speak louder than your words.
And AGAIN this video is an excellent example of that, comments off, edited video, and the "poor me" dialog.

Another good example of Stark County evasions is in this video, the news is AGAIN accused of showing edited tape to gain sympathy for Steffy, but the news has denied this and then asks the sheriff for ALL video & audio tapes for Steffy. And specifically the tape of her being paraded down the hall with EIGHT people. With one of the people holding a camera with the LED screen CLEARLY on.
So what is the Sheriff's "Professional" response to this, he waits FIVE months, until the grand jury investigation, and THEN claims the camera "wasn't working".
THIS is how a upright, nothing to hide, public service, sheriff's dept is operated??

The sheriff & deputies then wonder why people can't believe that they are being honest & open with the public?!?!
And then they wonder why public opinion is running against them, and why people are spurning them in public??

John7878

09-09-2008, 03:17 PM

Ok we have the cops trying to post stuff to make the Steffy's look as bad as possible.

I had posted this in the other thread, so here it is again...a view of the Steffy's from people that claim to have known them for many years:

We have been friends of the Steffeys for almost 30 years and have never seen or heard anything disrespectful or disorderly out of either one of them.
Hope is a wonderful mother and grandmother. And Greg is an awesome father and grandfather. He has been very involved in the upbringing of many of our local children as their teacher and coach and friend.

It pains us to see what this terrible experience has done to their lives. They are a very respectable family in any community or school district they have resided and worked in.
I just can't believe that this has happened to Hope, of all people. She loves her family with all her heart and would never jeopardize them in any way.
This unfortunate experience has obviously affected the family as a whole. I do know that if any of this would of happened to either of us 20 years ago we would of really gave the cops a run for their money! Age and Time has slowed us down a little!
To all of those who were involved in this whole ordeal God says, "Vengeance Is Mine" and he will take care of all the wrongs that have been done to his children. YOU DON'T MESS WITH GODS BLESSED!!!!!!!!

I know that it does'nt make things any easier for them, especially, Hope, but I know she's a very strong woman who will be able to focus on all the positive things in her life.
This is not going to be pleasant at all but she will focus on her FAMILY & FRIENDS for support, because that is the kind of person she is.

Eventually, this will all be over in the public eye but will remain in every persons heart that witnessed this. I just pray that "TIME" will be her friend and the memories will dim and not sting so horribly.

THANK YOU, Hope and Greg for having the stength to bring this to America's attention. Maybe something will be done to change the policies at the station and those who should be treated respectfully, will be treated in a more compassionate manner, especially when they have been the victim.

JIM & ROBYN

sandyfromoh

09-09-2008, 06:24 PM

John7878

09-16-2008, 06:57 AM

Why hasn't "The New York Times", "Washington Post" or "USA Today" covered this "internationally known" account?

It has been on MSN and CBS news on TV, I don't know WHY it hasn't been reported in the papers more than it has been.

I don't know why a couple million people haven't stormed the state capitol and demanded that those people, along with sheriff Swanson, be jailed.

I have personally talked to Paul Scarsella, Section Chief of Special Prosecutions Ohio Attorney General's office and Bridget Carty, his assistant.

I have asked Paul HOW someone can be TOO suicidal for a paper covering.....
His reply "Ask Stark County."

I have talked to Vivianne Whalen, Director of Human Resources at the Stark County jail.
I asked her the same question...HOW someone can be TOO suicidal for a paper covering.....
Her reply "You'd be surprised."

Theres a nice straightforward answer to my question!:flamemad:

The surprise would be if they could come up with a good answer! (For ANY of the questions I have asked.)

Vivianne asked WHY I still didn't believe the cops version.

I said there are too many discrepancies in their testimony.

She asked for an example.

I said in trial transcripts the arresting deputy and the backup deputy had EXACTLY the same testimony of Hope Steffy.

They both said she was staggering, slurring her words and smelled of alcohol.(Even though other PROSECUTION witnesses testified she was speaking “crystal clear” and did not seem that drunk, if at all.)

The backup deputy then continued his testimony by saying that he didn’t get there until Hope was being put in the back of the squad car.

How do you deduce that someone is drunk, staggering and slurring her words from seeing someone in the back seat!?!?

Vivianne said maybe he "saw her" before she was put in the car.

I said thats NOT what he testified to. And then I said "Ok, then we have the video of Steffy being stripped, she asks the staff ’what they are doing’ and telling them that “she hasn’t done anything wrong”. Do you hear her ’slur ’ her words?" (I don’t.)

Vivianne's reply was that she "must have recovered" by that time.

And I said once you allege that someone is highly intoxicated, doesn’t it seem necessary to do a breathalyzer? But none was done here.

THATS why I don't believe the cops, just one BS story after the next.
===========================

Anyway the papers SHOULD be printing this on the front page, people SHOULD be calling their government Reps!

And if you think THIS story is bad, don't search on the net!
There are WORSE ones!!

Cops doing this stuff in public! In front of people the victim knows sometimes!

Its TOTALLY OUTRAGEOUS! :cuss:

Hope Steffy stripped by Stark County and left naked for hours
http://www.wkyc.com/video/player.aspx?aid=53707&sid=82447&bw=hi&cat=2

The Second Hope Steffy tape:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lRhyiXJ91CQ&feature=related

Four more women come forward in Hope Steffy case:
http://www.wkyc.com/news/news_article.aspx?storyid=84243&provider=gnews

May6-Fifth Woman Comes forward in Steffy case
http://www.wkyc.com/news/news_article.aspx?storyid=88666

State AG to investigate Steffy abuse
http://www.wkyc.com/video/player.aspx?sid=82866&aid=54225

Link to Steffy’s lawsuit:
http://pamelahennessy.com/steffey.pdf

CBS news analyzes Police abuse tapes:
http://search.cbsnews.com/?source=cbs&q=Hope+Steffy&x=0&y=0

Link to ALL WKYC News videos of Hope Steffy
http://search.wkyc.com/sp?aff=100&keywords=Hope+Steffey&submit=Go

Teen Girls Strip Searched:
http://www.cantonrep.com/index.php?ID=373098&Category=15&subCategoryID=0

Link to Stark county Sheriff’s webpage that states they have not found a weapon in YEARS with strip searches.
http://www.sheriff.co.stark.oh.us/jail-facts.htm#health

sandyfromoh

09-16-2008, 12:37 PM

It has been on MSN and CBS news on TV, I don't know WHY it hasn't been reported in the papers more than it has been.

I don't know why a couple million people haven't stormed the state capitol and demanded that those people, along with sheriff Swanson, be jailed.

I have personally talked to Paul Scarsella, Section Chief of Special Prosecutions Ohio Attorney General's office and Bridget Carty, his assistant.

I have asked Paul HOW someone can be TOO suicidal for a paper covering.....
His reply "Ask Stark County."

I have talked to Vivianne Whalen, Director of Human Resources at the Stark County jail.
I asked her the same question...HOW someone can be TOO suicidal for a paper covering.....
Her reply "You'd be surprised."

Theres a nice straightforward answer to my question!:flamemad:

The surprise would be if they could come up with a good answer! (For ANY of the questions I have asked.)

Vivianne asked WHY I still didn't believe the cops version.

I said there are too many discrepancies in their testimony.

She asked for an example.

I said in trial transcripts the arresting deputy and the backup deputy had EXACTLY the same testimony of Hope Steffy.

They both said she was staggering, slurring her words and smelled of alcohol.(Even though other PROSECUTION witnesses testified she was speaking “crystal clear” and did not seem that drunk, if at all.)

The backup deputy then continued his testimony by saying that he didn’t get there until Hope was being put in the back of the squad car.

How do you deduce that someone is drunk, staggering and slurring her words from seeing someone in the back seat!?!?

Vivianne said maybe he "saw her" before she was put in the car.

I said thats NOT what he testified to. And then I said "Ok, then we have the video of Steffy being stripped, she asks the staff ’what they are doing’ and telling them that “she hasn’t done anything wrong”. Do you hear her ’slur ’ her words?" (I don’t.)

Vivianne's reply was that she "must have recovered" by that time.

And I said once you allege that someone is highly intoxicated, doesn’t it seem necessary to do a breathalyzer? But none was done here.

THATS why I don't believe the cops, just one BS story after the next.
===========================

Anyway the papers SHOULD be printing this on the front page, people SHOULD be calling their government Reps!

And if you think THIS story is bad, don't search on the net!
There are WORSE ones!!

Cops doing this stuff in public! In front of people the victim knows sometimes!

Its TOTALLY OUTRAGEOUS! :cuss:

Hope Steffy stripped by Stark County and left naked for hours
http://www.wkyc.com/video/player.aspx?aid=53707&sid=82447&bw=hi&cat=2

The Second Hope Steffy tape:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lRhyiXJ91CQ&feature=related

Four more women come forward in Hope Steffy case:
http://www.wkyc.com/news/news_article.aspx?storyid=84243&provider=gnews

May6-Fifth Woman Comes forward in Steffy case
http://www.wkyc.com/news/news_article.aspx?storyid=88666

State AG to investigate Steffy abuse
http://www.wkyc.com/video/player.aspx?sid=82866&aid=54225

Link to Steffy’s lawsuit:
http://pamelahennessy.com/steffey.pdf

CBS news analyzes Police abuse tapes:
http://search.cbsnews.com/?source=cbs&q=Hope+Steffy&x=0&y=0

Link to ALL WKYC News videos of Hope Steffy
http://search.wkyc.com/sp?aff=100&keywords=Hope+Steffey&submit=Go

Teen Girls Strip Searched:
http://www.cantonrep.com/index.php?ID=373098&Category=15&subCategoryID=0

Link to Stark county Sheriff’s webpage that states they have not found a weapon in YEARS with strip searches.
http://www.sheriff.co.stark.oh.us/jail-facts.htm#health

THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU John!! :beer:

John7878

09-16-2008, 01:36 PM

THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU John!! :beer:

Well called the sheriff again today.

I asked for a un-edited copy of the audio file that the person that claims to work at the Stark County jail posted on YouTube.

I also asked for ANY other audio/video files they had in the public files.

I asked if their "suicide prevention" policy, that I had asked for, had been mailed yet.

NO

And so, I thought I'd take a chance, and I said since you haven't sent it yet, I still have a question about the policy.

I had asked you before what happens at a "suicide prevention" after a woman has had her cloths removed.

Your answer was "it all depends" (Another great straightforward answer from Stark Countie's finest!!)

So my question is, once her cloths are removed, they never do a 'search' for a tampon on her do they??

WOW, she became huffy, and changed the subject. (Gee lady its a yes or no question, all you have to say is "NO, a search like that would NEVER happen in a suicide prevention because there is absolutely no need for it")

And then she asked WHY I would ever ask such a question.

I said no one wants to talk about WHAT they were doing to Steffy after the women left....

Her reply was that No one did anything to Steffy.

I said ITS RIGHT ON THE VIDEO!! Should I send you a copy so you can see?

She said she doesn't want to discuss this case any more with me. If I want public records, fine, but she doesn't want to talk to me.

I said fine, but don't you wonder when you see Law enforcement experts across the country say that was WRONG, that it just might be wrong?

She replied that she has NEVER heard of that. I told her it included a retired police trainer, a former prosecutor, and CBS news legal analyst and even another Ohio sheriff.
(I offered to send her the videos of that too.)
She said she didn't know anyone "that knew the facts of the case" say anything like that.

I said even another Ohio county sheriff said it was abuse and the people would be fired!

Well she didn't want to talk anymore, so we left it at that.

She's supposed to call later and tell me how much the cost for the records will be.

Any bets on how long I'll be waiting for that call??? :shrug:

PS A link:

http://www.berkeleydailyplanet.com/issue/2008-04-08/article/29670?headline=Portions-of-Oakland-s-Strip-Search-Policy-Ruled-Unconstitutional

http://www.november.org/stayinfo/breaking07/CA-StripSearch.html

sandyfromoh

09-16-2008, 02:06 PM

Read the 2 links, and wondering where is the federal government when we need them? In Ohio they are too busy with the smoking police! America needs to wake up!! We are slowly but surely becoming a police state, and losing our RIGHTS!! I still haven't heard from Tom Myer, and getting mad about that also! Lately, I'm getting mad about so many things, but Hope Steffey's case has me more upset, because of it's INJUSTICE!!! Wake up people before it's too late. You could be the next Hope Steffey!!!!!:flamemad:

USACQ

09-16-2008, 03:41 PM

NO WAY did they need to have all the men present there when they did that to her. And if they were going to strip search her why didn't they have the suicide suit ready? Should have put her in the tank until they were ready.

Here is the stark county sheriff office's contact information if you want to let them know how outraged you are

Contact Information
Telephone
(330) 430-3800
FAX
Postal address
4500 Atlantic Blvd., N.E., Canton, Ohio 44705
Electronic mail
General Information: strkshrf@raex.com

USACQ

09-16-2008, 04:13 PM

Where is Greta? Nancy Grace? Anyone know how to get them involved???

John7878

09-16-2008, 05:49 PM

Read the 2 links, and wondering where is the federal government when we need them?

I have contacted ALL my federal & state reps on this.

They have all blown it off as unimportant. Unless you have a million citizens marching about this, it don't matter to them. (And then even IF ya have the million, they might not care.)

This is the part that REALLY has me smokin, is that people in charge see nothing wrong.

The Reps, the sheriff's dept, the other depts in the links I posted. The judge even said that publicly stripping people is permissible as long as you don't violate their rights.....HUH!?!??!

The cops can already frisk them for weapons....WHY WHY WHY would police NOT be able to wait and do something like that in private???

Hiding drugs? They would be able to "ditch" them in a police cruiser on the way to the station??? I think not....this is BS!!

This is NOT the way to win the "War on Drugs". (Like we're doing such a great job of it so far.)
If winning the "War on Drugs" takes actions like this, then we are doomed anyway.

Pull someone pants & shorts down right in a public place??? :flamemad:

John7878

09-16-2008, 06:19 PM

NO WAY did they need to have all the men present there when they did that to her. And if they were going to strip search her why didn't they have the suicide suit ready? Should have put her in the tank until they were ready.

Because this had nothing to do about them thinking she was REALLY suicidal.
Why would they have EIGHT people to parade her down the hall, JUST to question her? (And some of them ALREADY have their gloves on!!)

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y39/Zemo999/Steffy3Gloves.jpg

Here is the stark county sheriff office's contact information if you want to let them know how outraged you are

Contact Information
Telephone
(330) 430-3800
FAX
Postal address
4500 Atlantic Blvd., N.E., Canton, Ohio 44705
Electronic mail
General Information: strkshrf@raex.com

Hhahahhahahhahaha Good Luck pal!

See if you can get any answers out of them.

Ask them how many people between the summer of 2006 and the summer of 2007 were in a suicide prevention and were left with NO covering at all.

I called the Stark County Prosecutor, John Ferrero's office.
Someone called back and I said that I had called the sheriff and couldn't get any answers.
So I gave her the big question first. How can someone be TOO suicidal for a suicide suit or even a paper covering.

She starts out saying that they only had a used paper covering, then switches and says that they had "problems" with the paper suits, that people had been known to hang themselves with them, but that they had corrected the problem long ago. (Since Steffy was in jail in Nov 2006)
So THATS why they didn't give Steffy a covering.

I said and OK, what about the suicide suit, that is DESIGNED for this situation. She said there were a couple different ones and she didn't think the doc wanted to use either one. (NO CHIT!!)

I asked why any doc would traumatize anyone like that instead of a restraint chair, she said she had never heard of a restraint chair. :confused:

I also asked how any doc could tell someone was suicidal with a couple questions. She said "He has a degree". (OH BOY!!!)

I asked for their names to check out their credentials.....she didn't know them.....(but she KNOWS they have a degree???) Amazing.

Then she brought up about passing the state "codes". I told her that I had already contacted the Atty General's office and had contacted the Bureau of Adult Detention, headed by Butch Hunyadi. (614-752-1062)
I said the state does NOT review the "policies" of the county.
She said she had never heard of the Bureau of Adult Detention. I said THIS is the state branch that checks for compliance for state laws.

Then she accused me of wanting to argue.

I said, NO, I don't want to argue, but I already have read the state laws.

I have already talked to the Atty General's office, who referred me to the Bureau of Adult Detention.

And I have already talked to Butch who said HIS office >IS< the one that checks for compliance, but the only state requirement is that they HAVE a suicide prevention.

Apparently everyone else sucks their excuses up, but they get irate if you know what your talking about.:no:

If you DO get an answer that question post the answer, but it won't do any good. These people ARE good at making excuses....I guess even a poor excuse is better than none....

Oh she also tried to tell me what a great bunch of cops they were...(right, even the one that was up on murder charges?) LoL

sandyfromoh

09-16-2008, 06:23 PM

Where is Greta? Nancy Grace? Anyone know how to get them involved???

I sent the video's to both of them and a couple others, never heard back!!!!

USACQ

09-17-2008, 07:12 AM

THIS is abuse of power.

If men can't be in the cell for a strip search, why would they think it is ethically right to be in there for a "suicide prevention" and go pawing at a handcuffed woman's genitals? A victim no less?

It is ethically wrong and every Deputy in that department knows it deep down - and has a duty to speak up.

In the military if a superior gives an unlawful order, you have a duty to deny compliance.

These deputies have the same duty.

If a terrorist were in Gitmo or Abu and this happened, the media would be all over it. A female victim in Ohio though? Where's the media?

The policy is wrong and everyone knows it. Someone in the chain just needs to grow some sack and do something about it.

Anyone know an aide in any of the Ohio Senator's offices? That usually gets something done. Get a good aide pissed about this one and the Sheriff's office won't be loving life much.

John7878

09-17-2008, 07:26 AM

Ran across this story:

Former Grant Co. Jail Guards Found Guilty

Two former Grant County jail guards have been found guilty of allowing inmates to rape a teenager.

Wesley Lanham of Dry Ridge and Shawn Freeman of Irvine were found guilty on Thursday.

The two men were working in the Grant County Detention Center in 2003 when an 18-year-old man was booked on traffic violations.

Prosecutors say the guards intentionally threw the teen into a cell with other inmates who then beat, stripped and raped him.

Prosecutors say the guards knew about it and did nothing.

Lanham and Freeman face life in prison when they're sentenced in December.
==========================

It got me to thinking that if these guys had been guards at Stark County, they wouldn't have had to throw the kid in with other inmates, they could have just done it themselves.

Sheriff Swanson & the rest would have backed them up. :flamemad:

USACQ

09-17-2008, 07:36 AM

This would be a great statistic:

How many females are placed on "suicide prevention" in a year? How many men? THAT would be a great statistic.

Want to bet that more females under 30 are subjected to this than old men? Anyone?

I worked in HR for a mid sized corporation and found that the doctor doing our pre-employment physicals was giving the women a more thorough exam than we wanted. Not just a breast exam, but the younger ones were getting the full pap smear. I took this to our CEO (who I worked for). Know what I got? Yelled at. "How can you question this doctor (his friend?). You WILL keep giving him business.

I was young, had a family and wanted my job so I went back to my office. The happy ending? That CEO is in jail for another charge today.. and the doctor? I kept using him... I only sent him big, hairy guys though. The women went elsewhere.

John7878

09-18-2008, 05:48 AM

Ran across this posting:

Going Down Bitter in the Hinterlands
July 2, 2008
How not to get arrested in Stark County Ohio

Deep in the Bitter Hinterlands is the medium-size city of Canton Ohio with an approximate population of 79,000. Like many Rust Belt cities it has suffered the loss of manufacturing jobs and a decline in residents. But Canton does have several high profile attractions, The Pro Football Hall of Fame and the William McKinley Presidential Library & Museum being the most notable. Canton is the county seat of Stark County and the nearly 400,000 residents have many frequent visits from presidential candidates as the county tracks the closest to overall national norms. But Stark County also has the dubious notoriety of being home to a rogue Sheriff’s Department.

This story actually began in Warren Ohio, the county seat of Trumball County, which is nearby to Stark County. In July 2003 news reports began to surface that some police in Warren “routinely strip-searched suspects in minor crimes” in violation of Ohio state law and Warren Police Department policy. Then again in November 2003, the Warren Police Department was accused of strip searching a woman who was eight months pregnant in the public parking lot of a busy supermarket after the woman was suspected of shoplifting. By November of 2004 the City of Warren had spent $115,000 over the previous year to settle six lawsuits dealing with the illegal strip searches. No legal prosecutions were forthcoming due to a two-year statute of limitations on the violations by the police.

It was Stark County’s turn when on August 29, 2007 a lawsuit was filed by three teenage girls, ages 14, 15 and 16 who had agreed to take a 15-minute walkthrough of the Multi-County Juvenile Attention Center on May 18th, 2007 and perform 20 hours of community service. The agreement was in lieu of a court appearance for charges of trespassing during a fight that the girl’s lawyers claim at which they were only bystanders. Instead of the walkthrough the girls expected and the parents agreed to, the lawsuit claims guards at the center had the girls remove their clothes, squat, lift their breasts and open their mouths as part of the strip searches by a female guard while two male guards waited outside the room and made sexual remarks. As far as we know, the lawsuit is still pending and the surveillance tapes have never been found.

First aired on January 31st, 2008 onWKYC in Cleveland Ohio, the jail cell video showing Hope Steffey being forcibly stripped by both male and female deputies was extremely shocking, but the story behind the incident is more shocking still. On October 20th, 2006 a call to 911 was placed by Hope and she said she’d been assaulted by a cousin. When the male deputy arrived Hope Steffey mistakenly gave the deputy her deceased sister’s driver’s license, not her own. The dashboard video has not been seen that would corroborate either story, but according to legal and civil lawsuits filed by Hope against the Sheriffs Department, she was then assaulted by the deputy. Hope states instead of seeking medical assistance for her injuries received in the assault, he instead first slammed her into the side of the cruiser - cracking her tooth - and later slammed her onto the ground causing cuts and bruises. Charged with resisting arrest, Hope was transported to the county jail and booked. Later convicted on misdemeanor charges of resisting arrest and disorderly conduct she filed a federal lawsuit on 11/26/2007 that contains the details of what happened after she arrived at the jail. At this point the video that later surfaced at WKYC was not public and that video has touched off a firestorm of protest.

In her lawsuit, Steffey says jailers stripped her after they asked, “Have you thought about harming yourself?” and she responded, “Now or ever?”. Still being denied medical attention, she was forcibly restrained, thrown to the floor of the cell and between 6 to 7 deputies, mostly males, stripped off all her clothing while she screamed for them stop and was then left bleeding and naked in the cell for six hours. When the deputies returned to book her, Hope had wrapped herself in toilet paper trying to stay warm, but her clothes were not returned and she was forced to walk through the jail wearing only a flak jacket. The sheriff has denied any wrongdoing and has claimed that if an inmate is suicidal, then the law permits any deputy/ies to remove all clothing and that Hope was not strip searched. On June 19th, 2008 a Stark County grand jury agreed with the Sheriffs Department position that this was a legal option, not a strip search, and declined to hand down any indictments. Jim Gravelle, spokesman for the attorney general, said the office was not prepared at this time to release details on the investigation or say what was pursued, but might release information in the future as the federal civil rights lawsuit was still pending.

Since this story became public another five women have come forward with allegations of being strip searched by Stark County deputies and all claim that the searches were done under the pretext that they were suicidal. Valentina Dyshko filed a similar complaint when she’d gone to the jail over a charge of delinquency of two of her eight children. No charges were filed as she homeschools the two children, but she was detained, stripped of all her clothing and spent three days in jail until a judge dismissed all charges. Lawyer David Malik says “we’re seeing a pattern where apparently every woman who cries or gets emotional is deemed suicidal.”

The Bitter Hinterlands agrees. This pattern of abuse is consistent with law enforcement that is bent only on terrorizing and degrading the public and who uses that power to sexually abuse and belittle women and girls. It’s time for a change in Stark County.

Sincerely,

Bitter

Hinterlands

http://goesdownbitter.wordpress.com/2008/07/02/stark-county-ohio/

USACQ

09-18-2008, 09:36 AM

For those with video - here's another link for Fox that might work:

americasnewsroom@foxnews.com

sandyfromoh

09-24-2008, 05:25 PM

For those with video - here's another link for Fox that might work:

americasnewsroom@foxnews.com

This is a email address, do you have the link???

John7878

09-27-2008, 04:05 PM

Heres some of Sheriff Swanson's propaganda:

Stark County Sheriff Timothy A. Swanson reports that there were 11,767 inmates processed and booked into the Stark County jail in 2007. Charges on these individuals range from petty theft to aggravated murder. At the time of their arrest many of the individuals suffered from mental illness, were suicidal and to make matters worse they were highly intoxicated on alcohol or under the influence of drugs of abuse.

To insure that these individuals are physically and mentally fit to be incarcerated, a nurse conducts a preliminary screening and then an in-depth medical/mental health assessment to obtain a history of the individual. This is also done so as to learn of any current issues that may be of interest to the Medical/Mental Health Staff.

The Stark County Sheriff’s Office, through contract, employs doctors, nurses, dentist, psychologist, psychiatrist and two mental health counselors. In 2007 the mental health staff conducted 5,296 mental health assessments due to information received during the medical assessment at the time of incarceration.

In 2007 there were 473 incidents where inmates were placed on suicide precautions. Of these instances 135 involved female inmates.

The Sheriff’s staff has been very successful in dealing with suicidal inmates given that 11,767 inmates were processed and 5,296 had mental health issues. In 2007, 11 inmates attempted to kill themselves while in the Stark County Jail. They attempted this by hanging or cutting themselves. They will use a pencil, paperclip or try and remove the razor blade from the disposable razors. They’ll utilize anything to try and hang themselves from the bars, such as a towel, their own clothing, or ripped portions of a mattress. Some are very determined and make several attempts to include standing on their bunks and diving head first into a corner formed by the wall and floor. Or some just try and ram their heads into the walls or bars causing injury to themselves. The Officers and medical/mental health staff were able to save these individuals.

In 2007 the Ohio Bureau of Adult Detention reported that 17 inmates killed themselves in Ohio Jails.

The last successful hanging in the Stark County Jail was in 2005. This inmate had visited the Stark County Jail 26 times prior and never exhibited any suicidal tendencies. This time he too was placed on suicide precautions and was still able to take his own life.

(No suicidal tendencies, until he too was "placed on suicide precautions"?!?!?!?) And Sheriff Swanson and his bright Doc's don't see a connection???? hammer

The Stark County Jail has become the mental institute in Stark County. Mostly because these individuals commit some kind of crime that gets them arrested and then the staff at the Sheriff’s Office will deal with their problems and try and protect them from themselves while incarcerated. It’s a difficult responsibility for our staff to undertake but they complete it with the utmost care and concern, acting in a professional manner at all times.
_____________________________
Timothy A. Swanson,
Stark County Sheriff

For More Information Contact:

Stark County Sheriff's Office
4500 Atlantic Blvd., N.E., Canton, Ohio 44705
Tel: (330) 430-3800
FAX: (330) 430-3844
Internet: strkshrf@raex.com

http://www.sheriff.co.stark.oh.us/mr020219.htm

sandyfromoh

09-27-2008, 08:18 PM

[QUOTE=John7878;12195425]Heres some of Sheriff Swanson's propaganda:

I think maybe the So called Sheriff is getting nervous???????barf

John7878

09-28-2008, 10:46 AM

[QUOTE=John7878;12195425]Heres some of Sheriff Swanson's propaganda:

I think maybe the So called Sheriff is getting nervous???????barf

I think this guy is too stupid to get nervous. hammer

Anyway I did send him another email:

I have read about your troubles with lawsuits for your suicide preventions, THEN I go to your web page and find this!

The last successful hanging in the Stark County Jail was in 2005. This inmate had visited the Stark County Jail 26 times prior and never exhibited any suicidal tendencies. This time he too was placed on suicide precautions and was still able to take his own life.

So your saying, that your suicide polices are not only getting you sued, but they are resulting in the deaths of inmates?!?!?!?

A prisoner had been there TWENTY SIX times and NEVER exhibited ANY suicidal tendencies....UNTIL he too was placed on suicide watch!!
OMG!

How many of the others that tried to kill themselves were treated the same way?

Take a depressed person and abuse them in this manner and then wonder WHY they try to kill themselves.....AMAZING!

John7878

10-01-2008, 12:29 PM

Well for something that can't be discussed, NOW information is released to the Canton Republic and they are in turn posting it on YouTube.

And heres the story they printed with it:

http://cantonrep.com/index.php?ID=433316

What happened to Hope Steffey?
Documents and video shed light on woman's controversial 2006 arrest and jailing
Sunday, September 28, 2008
BY SHANE HOOVER

SHANE.HOOVER@CANTONREP.COM

Editor's note: See the end of story for a list of sources used.

CANTON The woman's screams echoed in the isolation cell.

"I didn't do anything wrong. What am I here for? What are you doing?" Hope Steffey yelled as male and female deputies pinned her to the cell floor and stripped away her clothes.

The deputies told her she was going on suicide precautions, and they documented the incident on video. But when a Cleveland TV station aired a portion of that video in February, more people had questions: Why did this happen? How did an alleged assault victim end up naked in a jail cell?

Criticism, outrage and even death threats against sheriff's deputies poured in from around the country and overseas.

A state investigation and grand jury review found no criminal wrongdoing, but prompted more questions: Was the probe thorough? Was there another side to the story?

The incident occurred in October 2006, but those questions remain as Sheriff Timothy A. Swanson runs for re-election.

A review of video and audio recordings and more than 600 pages of documents obtained by The Repository through public records requests sheds more light on the case, now in civil litigation in federal court.

The case can be broken into three parts: Steffey's arrest, her incarceration and the state's subsequent investigation.

Steffey, 42, of Salem, and her attorneys deny that she was suicidal and accuse sheriff's deputies of assaulting her, illegally strip-searching her and leaving her naked for six hours in a cell. Her attorneys declined to be interviewed for this story, but their complaints are outlined in documents filed in U.S. District Court, in which they say Steffey has lasting physical and emotional injuries.

The sheriff's office says Steffey was combative and had to be placed on suicide and homicide precautions to prevent her from harming herself or others. Forcibly removing an inmate's clothing and belongings in that situation doesn't constitute a strip-search because the purpose is not to find evidence or contraband, Swanson argues.

THE ARREST

The story begins Oct. 20, 2006, just south of Robertsville on Weimer Drive SE in Paris Township.

A female cousin allegedly assaulted Steffey. Steffey had a cut on her nose and was missing a patch of hair, but she declined a dispatcher's offer to send an ambulance, according to a 911 call made by another of Steffey's relatives.

Deputy Richard T. Gurlea Jr. arrived around 8:15 p.m.

His in-cruiser video system wasn't activated. What we know of the incident comes from Gurlea's description of the arrest in a written report and testimony from witnesses at Steffey's criminal trial on charges of disorderly conduct and resisting arrest.

Gurlea, a deputy for six years at the time, said people at the scene, nearly all of them Steffey's relatives, told him that a female cousin had assaulted Steffey. While he went to get a camera from his car to document her injuries, Steffey started yelling obscenities toward her alleged attacker.

Steffey appeared to be highly intoxicated, Gurlea said. Other witnesses said she had been drinking, and at trial she admitted to having five beers over the course of several hours that day in addition to her prescription anti-depressant medication. Steffey also said at trial that her cousin knocked her unconscious, suggesting that a concussion might have influenced her behavior.

"She was just like a thousand emotions must have been going through her," said witness Scott Preston during Steffey's criminal trial. "She was really distraught."

Gurlea told Steffey to calm down, according to his account, a point supported by the testimony of other witnesses, including Steffey, at her criminal trial.

The deputy said that's when Steffey started yelling at him.

Steffey and her cousin, Trinette Zorger, told a different story. Zorger testified that Gurlea "kept pushing (Steffey's) buttons" and didn't warn her that she could be arrested.

Steffey told a jury she was upset because she accidentally gave Gurlea the driver's license of her deceased sister, and he taunted her about it, saying, "Shut up about your dead sister."

In his report and at trial, Gurlea said he warned Steffey that she faced arrest if she didn't stop yelling. When she pulled out her sister's ID, Gurlea turned his attention to Zorger, but Steffey interrupted them. That's when Gurlea arrested her for disorderly conduct, according to his report.

The deputy said he pushed Steffey — 5-foot-5, 113 pounds — against his cruiser, took her to the ground when she continued to struggle, placed his knee on her back and handcuffed her, according to his report and testimony.

In her lawsuit, Steffey said Gurlea — 5-foot-11, 230 pounds — slammed her against the car, chipping one of her teeth, then put her face-down over a mud puddle.

Gurlea didn't activate his cruiser video until after he took Steffey to the ground. He also called for backup.

The deputy later said he started the camera when he heard a man at the scene say, "Get the video camera, he's beating ... her," according to the state investigation.

On the cruiser recording, Steffey can be heard screaming obscenities while Gurlea repeatedly tells her to calm down.

"I just want to talk to you," Gurlea said. "I don't want to get rough with you. I don't ever want to do that."

When Zorger offered to calm Steffey, Gurlea accepted the help. He then placed Steffey in the cruiser.

"He just wants you to calm down, Hope. It's the only reason why you're in handcuffs," Zorger said. "He just wants you to calm down."

Gurlea lowered the cruiser window so that Zorger could keep talking to Steffey. Later, he opened the door so Steffey could vomit and refastened her handcuffs when she slipped out of them.

"She's calmed down a little here. I do have her in the car. ... I don't know how long she'll stay this way," Gurlea told dispatchers.

After putting Steffey in the car, Gurlea interviewed bystanders and spoke with other deputies who arrived to continue the investigation. Then he took Steffey to the jail.

The cousin accused of assaulting Steffey denied starting the fight and was never charged.

GOING TO THE JAIL

During the 20-minute ride, Steffey's mood shifted several times, alternating between silence, tears, anger and laughter, according to the cruiser recording.

She complained that Gurlea was driving too fast. She griped about her cousins. She tossed obscenities at Gurlea. She wasn't a bad person, she said over and over.

The deputy didn't respond, prompting Steffey to tearfully ask why he wouldn't talk to her.

"Sit back and relax," Gurlea said on the recording.

Steffey went on to talk about raising her granddaughter. Then she got angry about her husband not spending enough time at home.

"I'm trying the best I can," she said, crying as the cruiser pulled into the jail.

She appeared to kick the seat, pleading with the deputy not to tell her husband that she had been arrested.

" ... Please, I don't want him to know. Please, sir," she said.

John7878

10-01-2008, 12:30 PM

THE SCREENING

On his way to the jail, Gurlea told dispatchers to have help standing by to deal with Steffey, but he wasn't the one who decided she should be stripped. That decision fell to the medical and mental-health staff.

In the receiving area for prisoners, Steffey spoke with a nurse. The encounter — key to what eventually happened to Steffey — was captured on camera and audio.

The nurse wrote in a jail record that Steffey smelled of alcohol and stated, "You don't need to know about my mental issues."

The nurse asked Steffey if she ever had thought about harming herself.

"Sure, I have," Steffey responded, according to an audio recording enhanced for clarity by the state but still difficult to hear.

"When was the last time you thought about harming yourself in any way?"

"Well, right now's a good time."

Given Steffey's combativeness — deputies said she tried to conceal her face from being photographed during booking and attempted to pull away — and her statement about harming herself, the nurse contacted the on-call psychologist and placed Steffey on precautions per his order, according to jail records and information gathered by the state investigator.

Swanson said his deputies and corrections officers take direction from the medical and mental-health staff in such situations.

"We aren't mental-health professionals, and we don't try to be," Swanson said.

Jail policy mandated that a prisoner's clothes and personal belongings be removed as part of suicide precautions. Generally, an inmate got a quilted, tear-resistant "precaution suit," unless the medical or mental-health staff decided against the suit and left the inmate naked.

Most willingly take off their clothes, Swanson said.

Steffey was one of 18 women that month, and 634 inmates that year — a fourth of them women — placed on suicide precautions at the jail, records show.

Deputies documented the incident with a written report and on video.

THE STRIP

Around 9:30 p.m., deputies took Steffey to an isolation cell.

Jail surveillance cameras photographed Steffey leading up to the point when her clothes were removed. The only things not recorded are her actions in the booking room and the moment when deputies put her on the floor of the cell.

The sergeant in charge of videotaping the removal of Steffey's clothes — seen on tape holding a camera moments earlier — told a state investigator that she thought the camera recorded the entire incident. She didn't know why it hadn't.

In her lawsuit, Steffey says deputies jammed her face into the concrete floor, a claim the sheriff's office denies.

The video does show the jail's Corrections Emergency Response Team (CERT) in the cell with Steffey. The team is trained to deal with difficult inmates and is used regardless of gender because jail personnel is limited in number, Swanson said.

Two male deputies restrained Steffey, while a female deputy and a female corrections officer removed her clothes. Deputies said Steffey was told she would have to give up her clothes and was given the opportunity to remove them voluntarily. But none could recall who made those statements, according to the state investigation.

Steffey contends she wasn't given the option to voluntarily take off her clothes or told it was going to happen.

"I didn't do anything wrong. What the (expletive) are you guys doing this for?" she screamed as her pants, underwear, shirt and bra were removed.

The deputies told her to take deep breaths.

"Just relax, OK," they said several times, telling Steffey she was going on "precautions."

The whole process took about four minutes.

After being placed in the cell, Steffey eventually appeared to go to sleep, according to a log kept by jail staff.

About six hours later, a nurse talked to Steffey again. She was cooperative and denied wanting to harm herself, the nurse wrote. The medical staff gave her a precaution suit to wear and examined her nose, which was bruised. Steffey denied having trouble breathing.

Steffey also called her husband on a recorded line. She said nothing about being stripped, just that she had been naked in a jail cell. They argued about her getting arrested.

Steffey was released that afternoon.

John7878

10-01-2008, 12:31 PM

THE INVESTIGATION

Four days after her arrest, Steffey filed a complaint against Gurlea, saying he used excessive force.

According to a report by Sgt. Ron Perdue, he interviewed Steffey and she admitted to being highly intoxicated and resisting arrest. Perdue also talked to Gurlea and declared Steffey's complaint unfounded.

In June 2007, a jury in Alliance Municipal Court convicted Steffey of disorderly conduct and resisting arrest. A judge fined her $500 and ordered anger-management counseling.

A year after her arrest, Steffey filed a civil lawsuit in federal court. It was the first of two lawsuits involving female inmates placed on suicide precautions.

After WKYC Channel 3 aired the strip video of Steffey in February, Swanson asked the Ohio Bureau of Criminal Identification & Investigation to look into the incident.

Senior Special Agent Christy S. Palmer obtained audio and video recordings, documents, jail inspection reports, training certificates, a transcript of Steffey's criminal trial and conducted interviews with deputies and jail staffers.

Palmer found no violations of state law, nor substantive violations of jail policy or procedure.

A Stark County grand jury, which heard from Steffey, declined to indict the deputies.

Given Steffey's behavior, the level of force used against her during the arrest and in the jail wasn't excessive, and the deputies were orderly and calm throughout the process, Palmer concluded.

"It is certainly not for this agency to determine whether or not there are civil violations involved in the matter at hand," she wrote. "However, it can not be emphasized enough that whatever else transpired, this incident can not be accurately or appropriately categorized as a strip-search."

State law allows strip-searches, but only in certain situations and requires those performing the search be the same sex as the suspect.

As for the use of male deputies to restrain Steffey as female deputies removed her clothing, Palmer wrote "... the safety of an inmate and/or other inmates and jail staff clearly supersedes all concessions to modesty, especially in the medical area of corrections."

Some CERT members, although none of those involved in this incident, are trained at the National Corrections and Law Enforcement Training and Technology Center in Moundsville, W.Va.

Steve Morrison, the Center's vice president, said proper suicide precautions start with a written policy.

Removing the clothing of an inmate who is suicidal is an option, but Morrison said he would want strong evidence that the inmate intended to harm herself before leaving her in a cell naked, and he would never allow members of the opposite sex to remove her clothing because it is a privacy issue.

At the same time, Morrison said he couldn't second-guess the decisions of the deputies that night because he doesn't have enough information about the case.

The debate will continue as the civil case churns on in federal court, where a trial date has yet to be set. Steffey, her husband and their attorneys are seeking monetary damages and changes in jail policy.

The main issues could be Gurlea's use of force, whether a strip-search occurred and the nurse's evaluation of Steffey that led to her going on precautions.

In one of their latest filings, Steffey's attorneys say it was wrong to place Steffey on precautions after an interview by a licensed practical nurse and without the psychologist being present.

But in his own court papers, jail psychologist Thomas Anuszkiewicz denies simply going along with the nurse and says he took her information, opinions and evaluations and reached his own conclusion about putting Steffey on precautions.

Swanson continues to defend his deputies and policies.

"Unfortunately, we had to do what we did because of the circumstances we were presented with," he said.

Those in law enforcement and mental-health treatment, and some lay people, understand what happened, he said. Others in the community do not.

John7878

10-01-2008, 12:35 PM

Heres another story from the CantonRep:

http://cantonrep.com/index.php?ID=433318&originalStoryID=433316&r=

Steffey case: How Stark County sheriffs handle suicide precautions
Sunday, September 28, 2008

Suicide precautions in place when Hope Steffey was jailed in October 2006:

1: Security notifies medical or mental-health staff that inmate is at risk of harming self.

2: Medical or mental-health staff assesses inmate.

3: Psychologist is contacted for recommended intervention or precautions. If mental-health staff is present, they should be contacted immediately.

4: Orders given by psychologist or on-site mental-health staff, implemented by security.

5: Inmates locked in cell at all times except for situations like showers, court or use of phone.

6: Inmate searched prior to entering cell.

7: Cell searched and stripped of all items except mattress.

8: Inmate stripped of all personal belongings and clothing and given "precautions suit" unless ordered otherwise.

9: Security to do 15-minute status checks, nurses to observe inmate at least twice per shift and document in medical record.

Note: No "precautions suit" is given when an inmate:

— Is highly suicidal or whose risk factor is high.

— Is significantly agitated or behaviorally out of control or unstable.

— Exhibits self-injurious actions just before, during or after an arrest, or has made statements asserting a plan to harm self.

— Refuses to answer or is incapable of answering mental health questions relating to self-harm or harm to others.

John7878

10-01-2008, 12:39 PM

The CantonRep's YouTube videos:

Steffy Stripped
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gDRsCkc-9k0

Steffy Nurse Interview
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YTjRdDuBz1k

Steffy Arrest
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ij67JkpbTDc

John7878

10-02-2008, 09:56 AM

The video of Steffy being stripped, speaks for itself, I see nothing Hope did to get that kind of treatment. Everything else they did, would turn any woman into a raging mad person!

On the Canton site some people actually praise the cops!!:flamemad:
This REALLY pisses me off!

On the Canton video of Steffy being stripped, people complained about the news just showing PART of the video.

Know what? I want to complain about that too.:cuss:

They cut out both pieces of the males removing her cloths, plus they cut out the last part of the video, when just the men were there. Also they cut out the part when the camera operator swung the camera AWAY from what the men were doing to Steffy!!! The camera is NEVER to leave the prisoner!! There are other videos on YouTube that do the same thing when the operator sees the cops doing something they shouldn't, so I have to ask WHY the camera was swung away and WHY the news DIDN'T report that. And AGAIN ask WHAT they are doing to her?? She's stripped in in 3 minutes and 20 seconds and yet they are there another full minute....to change a mat!?!?!? Her legs are crossed and forced up against her butt, when they change the mat....WHY???
This is complete BULLCHIT!!

People on the Canton site say she was drunk and deserved what she got. Heres my reply to them that I posted: (Only got 250 words, so I didn't get as much in as I wanted.)

BTW Steffy also testified in court that she went to a hospital and was diagnosed with a concussion.

Symptoms of a concussion:The injured person may become DISORIENTED & CONFUSED and may briefly lose consciousness. GEE, if she had already had some beers & her medication, would she seem to be even more intoxicated than she actually was?!?!?

A SIX YEAR police veteran, with a body mic & remote for his video, goes to a call and ALL THE WAY THROUGH an arrest, and STILL doesn't turn on his camera? Come on people, theres only one reason NOT to turn the camera on, he doesn't WANT evidence.

Then after he's assaulted the VICTIM, he turns on the camera after she's mad and cussing him out, and wants us to believe she was this way the WHOLE TIME! And how do you resolve the conflicting testimony of the witnesses and police with the FACTS of Steffy's injuries???

Then on top of THIS 'missing' video, we have the 'missing' video at the jail. So the camera was working and THEN, just at the point Steffy says she was attacked it “stopped working”….and THEN, just as Steffy is forced to the bunk to be stripped….it started working again!!!

As for their claim that Steffy was asked to remove her cloths, in the video, she isn’t yelling “this isn’t right”, she’s asking “what they are doing”, does this sound like she was asked?

Plus EIGHT people escorted Steffy to an isolation cell, to ask her to remove her cloths?

sandyfromoh

10-02-2008, 10:35 AM

[QUOTE=John7878;12219325]On the Canton site some people actually praise the cops!!
This REALLY pisses me off!

On the Canton video of Steffy being stripped, people complained about the news just showing PART of the video.

Know what? I want to complain about that too.:cuss:

I read the Canton remarks, and John Smith, you are really a true hero in my book!!!:beer: Thank you for not giving up on this. From some of the remarks by others, I really doubt the wonderful sheriff Swanson will get re-elected!! I hope so anyway. There is NOTHING the sheriff or his thugs can say that would convince me this isn't WRONG!! I hope there are still intelligent people in this country, that realize this in NOT what the USA is all about, it's about FREEDOM, and since when are you hauled off to jail for speaking? I don't care what they "thought" she was going to do, she called the police! Should we all think twice before calling the police that our taxes pay for? Do we no longer have the FREEDOM of SPEECH?????:patriot:

John7878

10-02-2008, 11:55 AM

Thank you for not giving up on this.

Are you kidding? I already knew almost all of this already, except for the full video of her at the jail. And the part about people wanting to get a video camera of their own after saying that the cop was beating Steffy.

I have to wonder about the nurse interview....the sheriff's dept complains about a part of a video being shown on the news, yet heres supposed to be a VIDEO & SOUND piece of evidence, where the only thing you can "hear" is two questions and her response.
Talk about edited!!!
Wheres the WHOLE interview?
Come on Swanson, practice what you PREACH!!
In the tape Steffy sounds like she's just 'messing' with the nurse, not knowing what these people are REALLY like. So are they afraid that if the whole conversation was heard we could tell that?

And after 7 MONTHS of questions, this is the FIRST time I have even HEARD of this video.

It is NEVER mentioned at her trial in the transcripts, in the papers, the TV, OR by ANYONE I have talked to.

But then neither is when her miranda rights were read to her. The deputy tells her to 'cooperate and answer the jailers questions', but did he EVER tell her she had the right NOT to talk to anyone till she had a lawyer? (I have NO idea, I haven't heard a word about this either.)

I think the biggest problem for Steffy is that she had never been arrested before, and she thought these people were going to help her. She didn't know enough to shut up and ask for a lawyer.

But the bottom line is that this 'arrest' was WRONG!
Her treatment at the jail was WRONG!
Having men present and helping to strip her is WRONG!
Having this 'policy' is WRONG! (And unconstitutional.)
Swanson trying to shove this incident under the rug is WRONG!
Having a doctor diagnose & prescribe a suicide prevention OVER THE PHONE is WRONG!!
And keeping the "Critical Response Team" made up of men & women STILL stripping people after lawsuits and inmate DEATHS is WRONG!!!

How many FRIGGEN ways can I say this WHOLE flippin mess is WRONG?!?!?

AHHHHHHCCKKKKKKKKKKKKK!!!!!!!!!!

Sorry Sandy....LoL....ok I'm good now.....:flamemad::flamemad::flamemad:

sandyfromoh

10-02-2008, 02:11 PM

AHHHHHHCCKKKKKKKKKKKKK!!!!!!!!!!

Sorry Sandy....LoL....ok I'm good now.....:flamemad:flamemad:

Don't be sorry!! I'm as upset as you are, but don't know how to write it as well, plus my language would not be nice!! I am really afraid of what is happening in this country, and pray people will wake up before it's too late. GOD HELP AMERICA!!!!:patriot:

John7878

10-02-2008, 07:02 PM

Don't be sorry!! I'm as upset as you are, but don't know how to write it as well, plus my language would not be nice!! I am really afraid of what is happening in this country, and pray people will wake up before it's too late. GOD HELP AMERICA!!!!:patriot:

My next CantonRep post....I don't expect it to get through the moderators:

Ok I have looked at the Steffy/Nurse interview. PLEASE tell me that the paper edited this video before posting it on YouTube.

This ‘video’ is unintelligible except for a few seconds, when the nurse asks Steffy a couple questions and she answers.

I have to think that the paper HAD to edit this video, because after the sheriff’s dept is bemoaning for MONTHS that WKYC had just released portions of the strip video, and I just KNOW that the sheriff’s dept would NOT take a few seconds of a whole video, out of context, and do the same thing they complained of the news trying to do to sway public opinion. (RIGHT?)

The only difference is that WKYC edited out the WORST portions of the strip video, to actually make it out better than it actually was! They edited out BOTH pieces when the men were removing clothing, and they also removed the piece of video that shows the camera operator when she took the camera off of Steffy. The camera is SUPPOSED to be on the prisoner at ALL times. On other YouTube videos of this nature, the only time they move the camera off is when the operator knows the cops are doing something that they could get in trouble for. Steffy is stripped in 3 min 20 seconds, but it takes almost another minute for them to change a mat!?!? Right, but WHY were the men crossing Steffy’s legs and then forcing them up against her butt, after she’s stripped, and the women are gone??
With the camera swinging away, I guess its just more “missing” video.

Anyway I hope Swanson isn’t using that HIGHLY edited, few seconds, out of context, recording of the nurse interview to sway public opinion, let alone try to introduce it at Steffy’s lawsuit!

You know, I’d like to meet Swanson once just to tell him what I think of him. The only problem is I don’t think I could shower long enough, or scrub hard enough to get his stench off of me afterwards.

EDIT RATS too long, I have to shorten it up a bit for the paper.

sandyfromoh

10-02-2008, 10:01 PM

GO JOHN!!!!!!:beer:

John7878

10-05-2008, 08:12 AM

GO JOHN!!!!!!:beer:

My latest post...if I can ever get it to go on....:

RTucker I agree there was NO WAY males should have been in there at all. But here’s all the Officials at Stark County & the State saying they could see nothing wrong with this video. And we have people on here I guess also saying they see nothing wrong with what the cops did.

BUT just so we’re all on the same page, what they & the officials are saying is that not only is it ok for 8 people, men & women to be present, the men are also allowed to remove a woman’s cloths.

And if a woman ‘reacts’ to being stripped by men & women, with spectators also standing there, while being videoed, the men are not ONLY allowed to restrain her, they are also allowed to pull her arms in submission holds, while yelling for her to “STOP IT”.
And then AFTER she is already stripped naked, its STILL ok to put her in an arm bar submission hold, if she starts screaming.

=====
Yeah, just having a couple 250lb men and a couple women JUST restraining her isn’t enough if she doesn’t cooperate, they can also torture her into submission.
=====

And then while waiting to ‘change a mat’, its also ok for the officers to force Steffy’s crossed legs up to her butt, while she is screaming. And its also “OK” for the camera that is ALWAYS supposed to be on the prisoner to swing away, while the officers are manipulating her legs. (Doing ‘something’ that they have no explanation for.)There’s NO problem here for cop supporters here either. Right?

Come on! Lets hear from the cop supporters, BUT before you respond, call the sheriff’s office and ask if ANY woman is searched for, or have their tampon removed, when they are put on suicide precautions.
Stark County Sheriff's Office
(330)/430-3800

PS>
I did. They seemed outraged that I asked the question, but it’s a little late for the sheriff’s office to try to take the ‘high road’ now. BTW, I never got an answer, not even a denial!

Hmmm

sandyfromoh

10-05-2008, 11:35 AM

John I haven't the words to THANK YOU enough for not giving up on this. Please continue to fight for this miscarriage of justice! You are a Superman in my opinion!!!;)

John7878

10-05-2008, 12:22 PM

John I haven't the words to THANK YOU enough for not giving up on this. Please continue to fight for this miscarriage of justice! You are a Superman in my opinion!!!

Well the thing is Sandy its....ALL IN THE VIDEO!! (The parts that aren't "missing" anyway....God, wouldn't I LOVE to see ALL the video that either wasn't taken, missing or doesn't exist because of "defective cameras".) ((So how many times has this camera messed up before....or after???))

I just want to make SURE that we are ALL seeing the same thing.

Because what I am seeing is a woman getting TORTURED into submission.

I did find that my post was TOO long and again I had to edit it down to 250 words. It was pretty hard to do, because I just want to go on a rant forever...LoL.:flamemad:

I would love to publicly debate this for Swanson's re-election....I guarantee that after I was done, I would show the voters just the kind of moronic monster this guy is. hammer

John7878

10-06-2008, 01:37 PM

John I haven't the words to THANK YOU enough for not giving up on this. Please continue to fight for this miscarriage of justice! You are a Superman in my opinion!!!;)

Ok heres my latest post, some of you MAY find this interesting, if you haven't ALREADY noticed it yourself.

===
This is for the sheriff, Senior Special Agent Christy S. Palmer, and the ALL the rest that are saying that these cops acted in a PROFESSIONAL manner.

Run the strip video to time index 4:13 to 4:16.

I guess at least ONE of your PROFESSIONALS thought that stripping Steffy was FUNNY in some way!

TOO bad the video didn't run longer, so we could have ALL shared in the joke and found out what was SO funny about it!
===

John7878

10-08-2008, 09:56 AM

My latest post on Canton Rep:
http://www.cantonrep.com/index.php?ID=433316

Mrs. C, maybe your done stirring, not me.
I talked to one of the investigators. I asked if they had interviewed any of the other FIVE women that had reported abuse, to establish a “pattern of abuse”.
THE ANSWER: “No” (If you have a subject that ‘alleges’ abuse by persons AB&C, and you have FIVE other people that ‘allege’ abuse at the same place, its just basic police work 101 to cross check them.)

So then I asked if anyone involved in this had been polygraphed.
THE ANSWER: “Why would we do that, its not admissible in court.”
MY REPLY: “YES, I KNOW its not admissible in court, but police STILL use it to verify testimony, and establish the TRUTH.”
THE ANSWER: “No, no polygraphs.”
MY REPLY: “Well I’m beginning to see this “investigation” was never about finding the TRUTH of what ACTUALLY happened to Hope Steffy. The more I look into this, the worse it gets.”

=== We talked a bit more, but it was just more of the same BS. ===

Here’s a challenge, lets have the officers get a chance to clear themselves, with a INDEPENDENT polygraph test. (In other words, no one from Ohio.)
Heck, let me know and I’ll contact Dr Phil and we can use HIS polygraph operator, and then get your names cleared on national TV! I’ll even volunteer to be tested, to prove what I have posted is true. Come on boys, you claim you were smeared on national TV, here’s your chance to redeem yourselves.

=================

MY LETTER TO Dr Phil:

=================

Dr Phil I'm writing about the Hope Steffy case in Ohio. This is about a crime VICTIM that was arrested and taken to the local county jail where she was forcibly stripped naked by 8 men & women. She was then left naked for hours.

I have done MUCH more than watch the dozen or so videos on this, I have contacted MANY people, the only problem is it seems to get worse, the more you find out.

Heres a link to a recent news story that could explain SOME of what is going on better.

http://www.cantonrep.com/index.php?ID=433316

But as I point out in the "comments" section, there is a LOT of stuff that just DON'T ADD UP! (I'm posting under the alias of "John Smith".)

Plus there are the LIES from the sheriff's dept, the excuses, the incredible fairy tales of "missing" video, and the fact that FIVE other women claim similar abuses at the county jail. And this doesn't include 3 teen girls that were strip searched as part of a detention "tour"!!! (14-15-16 yrs old)

On one of my postings I even said that I would contact you so that the officers could take polygraphs and "clear" themselves on national TV, since they claim they have been smeared on national TV, when CBS and MSBC ran this story.

PLEASE Dr Phil call these people up and at least OFFER to help them "clear things up" with your polygraph operator.

Sheriff Tim Swanson
(330)/430-3800

I'm guessing they turn you down FLAT!

PS Could you contact me back and let me know how it goes? I would love to hear their excuses they have this time.
:lol:

John7878

10-08-2008, 10:50 AM

My Letter to Dr Phil's Wife:
======================

I have already asked your husband for help in the case of Hope Steffy. A woman who was a crime VICTIM that was assaulted by the investigating officer and then taken to the local county jail. There she was forcibly stripped naked, with 8 people present, and then she was left naked for hours.

Heres the video posted on YouTube: (WARNING: This is going to be VERY traumatic.)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gDRsCkc-9k0

PLEASE don't let abuse like this go unnoticed.

As you can see men are even allowed to remove her clothing. What the Sheriff & the officials are saying is that not only is it ok for 8 people, men & women to be present, and the men are also allowed to remove a woman’s cloths.

And if a woman ‘reacts’ to being stripped by men & women, with spectators also standing there, while being videoed, the men are not ONLY allowed to restrain her, they are also allowed to pull her arms in submission holds, while yelling for her to “STOP IT”.

And then AFTER she is already stripped naked, its STILL ok to put her in an arm bar submission hold, if she starts screaming.

=====
Yeah, just having a couple men TWICE her size and a couple women JUST restraining her isn’t enough if she doesn’t cooperate, they can also TORTURE her into submission.
=====

And then while waiting to ‘change a mat’, its also ok for the officers to force Steffy’s crossed legs up to her butt, while she is screaming. And its also “OK” for the camera that is ALWAYS supposed to be on the prisoner to swing away, while the officers are manipulating her legs. (Doing ‘something’ that they have no explanation for.)

There’s NO problem here for the sheriff or "investigators" here either.
They CLAIM she was abusive & out of control. Are they kidding? I haven't seen a video of her yet that she isn't handcuffed!!

They say that the officers acted "professional" during the "intervention".
Maybe while they knew they were being filmed, but unfortunately for them the camera was STILL rolling when they left the cell and they started LAUGHING. Too bad the camera didn't keep going, we could have found out just what the joke was about, but then this IS Stark County, we'll just have to chalk it up to more "missing" video.

Latest Story in the local paper: (I'm posting under the alias John Smith)
http://www.cantonrep.com/index.php?ID=433316

I "offered" to contact Dr Phil and have the officers "Cleared" on national TV with your polygraph operator. I even volunteered myself to PROVE everything I commented on is the TRUTH.

Please Robin at LEAST have your husband make the offer of the polygraphs. I have NO expectations that any of the main people will accept the offer anyway.
But I'd love to see their response and this abuse NEEDS to be stopped.

PS This isn't the ONLY woman this has happened to, FIVE others have come forward claiming the same abuses. And this doesn't count the THREE teen girls that were strip searched as part of a "tour".

Heres a few more links to info:
Four more women come forward in Hope Steffy case:
http://www.wkyc.com/news/news_article.aspx?storyid=84243&provider=gnews

May6-Fifth Woman Comes forward in Steffy case
http://www.wkyc.com/news/news_article.aspx?storyid=88666

State AG to investigate Steffy abuse
http://www.wkyc.com/video/player.aspx?sid=82866&aid=54225

Link to Steffy’s lawsuit:
http://pamelahennessy.com/steffey.pdf

CBS news analyzes Police abuse tapes:
http://search.cbsnews.com/?source=cbs&q=Hope+Steffy&x=0&y=0

Link to ALL WKYC News videos of Hope Steffy
http://search.wkyc.com/sp?aff=100&keywords=Hope+Steffey&submit=Go

Teen Girls Strip Searched:
http://www.cantonrep.com/index.php?ID=373098&Category=15&subCategoryID=0

Link to Stark county Sheriff’s webpage that states they have not found a weapon in YEARS with strip searches.
http://www.sheriff.co.stark.oh.us/jail-facts.htm#health

Terry99

10-09-2008, 01:57 PM

John7878

10-09-2008, 10:18 PM

John, I was inspired by you to try to get some answers from Shane Hoover, the author of the article in the Canton Repository. First, I asked straight out if there was any information as to whether a body cavity search had been done. The answer I got was that Hope's attorneys are not alleging that (which seems a bit evasive).

As you could see from my posts here, I also asked the sheriff's dept if they would check her for a tampon.
They were outraged that I asked, but then they never did confirm or deny it.
But also Steffy claimed that they ripped her ears removing her earrings, this could have been when she was freaking out at the end of the video. Or since they took her earrings, they may "check" for other body piercings, and this may have been why she was freaking...who knows?

But if they check for that stuff, does it qualify as a strip search?? Again, I don't know.

They are being REALLY close mouthed about what happened after she was stripped.

Listed among the sources for the article were summaries of the State investigator's interview with jail staff, so I wrote back and asked "Did anyone ask the camera operator why she panned away and what was happening during that time? There has to be some explanation because it certainly looks intentional." I received no response.

Good luck getting an answer for this one. No doubt they will have some excuse.
There are other videos on YouTube that do this when a prisoner is abused. One guy was strapped in a restraint chair and the cop walked back to hit him. You could tell the camera operator was trying NOT to get it on tape.

Were entries made by only women or by men as well? Were other males (in addition to the original four) allowed to view her naked after there was no plausible reason for it?

They are going to tell you that only women checked, I guarantee it. The only way to know for sure that males didn't go along for a peek is to check the hall videos....those that haven't come up "missing" anyway.
As for what the "investigators" found...well lets just say in my opinion they didn't LOOK very hard.
Oh also when I berated them for the 6 hours she was naked, they said in the investigation they found out that she was naked for ONLY 3 hours. (Well GEE, doesn't THAT just make it "OK" then?!)
What made them think that this would make everything better is beyond me!

Are there any limitations as to what members of the opposite sex may do in order to miminize the degradation of people, or is it left up to their own sense of decency to self-limit their participation to only what is absolutely necessary?" No response has been received.

The men were removing her panties & bra!! And afterwards laughed about it!
I don't think they have a sense of decency.

I understand your frustration and have great admiration for your perseverance in trying to get to the truth in this matter.

Google "Calumet City, Illinois stripsearch" Heres what you'll find:
Doe v. Calumet City (1995)
The police department of Calumet City, Illinois believed that it was reasonable to strip search every woman who was arrested for a misdemeanor or ordinance violation, even though the ilegality of this practice had been established years before in challenges to the Chicago strip search policy. Mary Beth G. v. City of Chicago, 723 F.2d 1263 (7th Cir. 1963).

The case was certified as a class action for "all women who were arrested on misdemeanor or ordinance violation charge in Calumet City, Illinois between April 16, 1982 and March 31, 1988." The case was settled for a sum slightly in excess if six million dollars after the district court granted summary judgment in favor of the plaintiff class on liability.
========================
This outrageous abuse went on for SIX YEARS! Until lawsuits finally stopped it. And they KNEW it was illegal. Just the same as Stark County should KNOW what its doing is illegal.

But the reason it went on for so long is that there wasn't a 'Steffy' there, strong enough to fight back and stop it.

This isn't about JUST Steffy, or JUST Ohio.....people need to know this is going on everywhere. And NOT to just people that are "criminals" or the type to always be in trouble.

Just be careful using Google, some other cases are almost worse than this one.

I have contacted my Federal Reps about a law that protects people from this type of abuse, since the Bill of Rights seems to have no effect, but so far they have been successful at ignoring me.

sandyfromoh

10-11-2008, 03:37 PM

John, Sure hope you get an answer from Dr. Phil, I sent the video's to Nancy Grace, Glenn Beck and Greta, and never got a reply. I also checked with Tom Myers from the local channel here, who broke the story. Never heard back from him either. The only person I've heard from was Romana Robinson, who is an anchor for that station. I've sent your links to people all over the country, but, you are the only one who is doing anything, and I can't tell you how much I for one appreciate it. Again, God Bless you John, and hopefully through your persistancy, something will be done. I did hear a short blurb on the news, that the 3 teens who were strip searched while on a tour of the Stark County facility, DID win their lawsuit!!! The station didn't go into it much, but at least did report it. I believe it was the ABC affiliate here in Cleveland, but not sure.

Terry99

10-11-2008, 05:39 PM

This article appeared in the "Canton Repository":

Youth detention center settles suit over strip-search
Thursday, October 9, 2008
BY SHANE HOOVER
SHANE.HOOVER@CANTONREP.COM]

CANTON The Multi-County Juvenile Attention System has agreed to pay $100,000 each to the families of three girls who said they were strip-searched during a cautionary tour of the local juvenile lockup.

The parties reached the agreement last week during court-ordered mediation, court records show. The settlement requires final approval by a probate judge because the girls are minors.

Interim Multi-County Superintendent David Vanderwall declined to comment on the settlement.

Brian Zimmerman, an attorney representing the girls, said the agreement allows his clients to put the incident behind them without a trial. The money will be paid by Multi-County's insurance provider, he said.

The lawsuit, filed in Stark County Common Pleas Court, also spurred policy changes at Multi-County's detention facilities.

The girls, identified by pseudonyms in court filings, said they were strip-searched, given dirty clothes to wear and subjected to comments of a sexual nature last year at the Attention Center in Canton Township.

The Attention Center is one of nine facilities in the Multi-County system, which is overseen by Stark and five other counties. It houses juveniles awaiting trial or other placements.

At the time, the girls were ages 14, 15 and 16.

In a sworn statement filed with the court, Multi-County's former superintendent said staffers told him the girls were laughing and not taking the cautionary tour seriously, and the supervisor decided to change them into detention clothes to teach them a lesson.

That included a strip-search.

Zimmerman and attorney Allen Schulman argued that a blanket strip-search policy violated state law.

In June, Multi-County agreed to stop performing strip and body-cavity searches as a matter of routine for pretrial detainees and misdemeanor traffic offenders, absent a reasonable belief that the juvenile is carrying weapons or other contraband.

sandyfromoh

10-11-2008, 08:41 PM

[QUOTE=Terry99;12268785]This article appeared in the "Canton Repository":

Youth detention center settles suit over strip-search
Thursday, October 9, 2008
BY SHANE HOOVER

Thanks for the article, hopefully Hope Steffy will win out over the
Stark County Sheriffs Dept, and get some justice. Not that it will compensate for all she went through, I've said it before and I'll say it again, I don't care what she did, said or how she acted, this was way out of line, unless we are now living in Nazi Germany!! I do hope Swanson will not be re-elected also, maybe I'm hoping for too much!

Terry99

10-12-2008, 02:00 PM

I couldn't agree with you more. I've sent a contribution to Larry Dordea and have been searching for polls or other information as to how the Sheriff's race stands. So far, I haven't found anything. I just pray that he wins.

John7878

10-12-2008, 02:04 PM

In a sworn statement filed with the court, Multi-County's former superintendent said staffers told him the girls were laughing and not taking the cautionary tour seriously, and the supervisor decided to change them into detention clothes to teach them a lesson.

That included a strip-search.

In June, Multi-County agreed to stop performing strip and body-cavity searches as a matter of routine for pretrial detainees and misdemeanor traffic offenders, absent a reasonable belief that the juvenile is carrying weapons or other contraband.

Heres my response to the article...if I can ever get it posted there, I keep getting an error.

I am an advocate of the Scared Straight program, for MULTIPLE CONVICTED juveniles, NOT for first time offenders, convicted of nothing.

And I am certainly NOT for this sexual assault version that Stark County has!

The girls & their parents had ALREADY gone through metal detectors & a pat down.

There was NO warrant to search these girls.

There was NO probable cause to search these girls.

The ONLY reason to strip search these girls was to embarrass, degrade, and punish them. They even ADMIT that!

This is AGAINST THE LAW!

This is what the perverts in Stark County don't get. They are CRIMINALS!

At first, Court Administrator Richard DeHeer (330-451-7415) said in the paper that its part of their 'protocol' and that the staff did nothing wrong.

But I called him afterwards and he THEN claimed that there was NO protocol to strip kids and that there had NEVER been a protocol like that.

Well if that is true, what CRIMINAL charges will be brought against the staff there??

This whole thing stinks as much as the Hope Steffy case, except in her case they have been like 12 legged cats in a litter box, trying to cover chit as fast as they can.

Elections are soon – Larry Dordea for sheriff

http://www.dordeaforsheriff.com/

John7878

10-12-2008, 03:01 PM

In June, Multi-County agreed to stop performing strip and body-cavity searches as a matter of routine for pretrial detainees and misdemeanor traffic offenders, absent a reasonable belief that the juvenile is carrying weapons or other contraband.

WOW is that big of them or what, they are going to stop being criminals!

Gee thanks!

Is it just me or this this REALLY F* up? I don't mean a lil F* up, I mean REALLY F* up like only a political bureaucratic dictatorship could do?!?!?

They go through a metal detector & a pat down.....WHY would anyone be subject to a Strip or body cavity search as "pretrial detainees and misdemeanor traffic offenders"!?!?!?

Most places do a pat down and have detectors at the entrance, and portable wands, to scan for weapons, either they are effective and stop the weapons, or they aren’t effective and they are a waste of money.

You can’t have it both ways.

This would be really funny, if it wasn't so disgusting....unbelievable!

Thanks for the post Terry and for your kind comments for my posts...:beer:

John7878

10-12-2008, 08:18 PM

John, I was inspired by you to try to get some answers from Shane Hoover, the author of the article in the Canton Repository.

I understand your frustration and have great admiration for your perseverance in trying to get to the truth in this matter.

Thanks for the kind comments.

I also have emailed Shane, but no reply yet.

I also have not heard back from when I called the State's Atty. They were supposed to have the BCI (Bureau of Criminal Investigations) contact me, but so far nothing.

:shrug:

John7878

10-13-2008, 08:20 AM

Ok heres a copy of a letter that I sent to the Atty Gen's office and to the governor also:

I have been trying to get someone to actually look into this case. I have tried the Atty Gen's with no result as you can tell. Heres a letter I sent to them:

http://www.ag.state.oh.us/contact/inquiry_form.asp

Subject:
Hope Steffy Investiagtion

Nature of Concern/Inquiry:

Officials at Stark County & the State investigators are saying they could see nothing wrong with Hope Steffy’s strip video. NOTHING criminal? Are you kidding?

BUT just so we’re all on the same page, lets review the video….

First of all, this video STARTS after Steffy is already forced down on the bunk. The camera operator tells investigators she doesn’t know WHY the whole recording isn’t there. And the piece that is “missing” is exactly when Steffy claimed she was never asked to remove her cloths & was assaulted by the staff. The investigators have NO problems with the ‘magic’ camera? (I contacted the sheriff’s office May 5th and was told the video would “probably” be released in discovery. THIS is the video they NOW claim never existed. They never denied its existence THEN, three MONTHS after it was asked for.)

And IF she was asked, as they claim, they have no problem with the FACT that she is ASKING in the video what they are doing? The FACT that there were EIGHT people taking her to an isolation cell to ASK her to remove her cloths?!

Plus what Swanson & the investigators are saying is that they agree with the strip “policy”. And not only is it ok for 8 people, men & women to be present, the men are also allowed to remove a woman’s cloths. EVEN if there are enough women there to do it. Even though they KNOW it violates federal law? (There are MANY precedents already set in lawsuits.)

And if a woman ‘reacts’ to being stripped by men & women, with spectators also standing there, while being videoed, the men are not ONLY allowed to RESTRAIN her, they are also allowed to pull her arms in submission holds, while yelling for her to “STOP IT”.

And then AFTER she is already stripped naked, its STILL ok for the men to put her in an arm bar submission hold, if she starts screaming while they force her crossed legs against her butt, while waiting to “change a mat”.

And its also ok for the camera, which is supposed to be on the prisoner at ALL times, to deliberately swing away so you can’t tell what they are doing to her. Plus they have no explanation for WHAT they are doing. NO problem here too RIGHT?

===== Yeah, just having a couple men TWICE her size, and a couple women, JUST restraining her isn’t enough, if she doesn’t cooperate, they can also TORTURE her into SUBMISSION. =====

And then once they leave, these “professionals” can have a good laugh…I guess they didn’t realize the camera was STILL running.

THIS is what ALL the investigators are good with?!?! BS!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gDRsCkc-9k0

Just talking to the investigators is a joke. I asked if anyone involved in this had been polygraphed.

THE ANSWER: “Why would we do that, its not admissible in court.”
MY REPLY: “YES, I KNOW its not admissible in court, but police STILL use it to verify testimony, and establish the TRUTH.”
THE ANSWER: “No, no polygraphs.”

See he’s trying to make it seem like there’s no reason to use the polygraph and that they don’t use it in investigations, BUT then you go here:

http://www.ag.state.oh.us/le/investigation/bci_investigation.asp

And you see that the BCI has a POLYGRAPH UNIT!!
See THIS is what I am taking about.

I also KNOW that Stark County jail officials kept information from the investigators, according to Paul Scarsella, when I talked to him.

This whole investigation is a joke.

How would you like the Attorney General to Help? (And Governor)

Launch a REAL investigation into this.
Don't just look for excuses to let the cops off. Look for the TRUTH of what was REALLY happening.

Because after looking into this for months, I can tell you the whole thing stinks!

PS The BCI agent that was supposed to contact me, Pamela Davis, has STILL never called me. But after dealing with Stark County, I am used to being left hanging, being given skewed information, and for being outright LIED to.
====================

IF I get a response I'll post it up....but I suppose it will just be ignored again, since I am in Illinois. Need more people from Ohio to stir it up.

John7878

10-13-2008, 10:42 AM

Just in case anyone wants to get a hold of someone about this:

FBI
(Carroll, Stark, Tuscarawas)
(330) 456-6200
canton.cv@ic.fbi.gov

Ohio Governor Strickland
General Info: (614) 466-3555

State of Ohio
Office of the Attorney General
(614) 466-4320

Sheriff Tim Swanson
(330)/430-3800
strkshrf@raex.com

Stark County Prosecutor
John D. Ferrero
Telephone: (330) 451-7897

Attorney General of the United States
Michael B. Mukasey
AskDOJ@usdoj.gov
Department of Justice Main Switchboard - 202-514-2000
Office of the Attorney General - 202-353-1555

Terry99

10-13-2008, 02:17 PM

sandyfromoh

10-13-2008, 03:35 PM

John, What can I keep saying, God Bless You!! I hope you hear from
The Atty Gen's office, fear they are too busy with Acorn Fraud at the moment. But just maybe they might decide to do something right for a change, and look into it further. There are so many people in this country that are sick and tired of what is going on, I pray somewhere out there there is someone in government like you John, who will fight for what is right!! If I were younger, I would be as persistent as you are, but being 70+, I just sit here and pray to God that I see our country like it was when I was young, and RESPECT was demanded. I could go on and on, but I think you get the picture.

John7878

10-14-2008, 06:49 AM

Good letter to the Attorney General and Governor, John. It asks a lot of questions that need to be answered. Despite all the breaches of policy and inconsistencies in the testimony of jail personnel, it seems their word is taken as gospel and whatever Hope says is automatically discounted.

The fact that the grand jury did not indict doesn't surprise me. I've been on a grand jury and the prosecutors can basically get whatever result they want. They choose the questions to ask and the evidence to present (they won't even say whether or not the videotape of the strip was shown to the jurors). In that setting, there would be no opposing attorney to protect Hope's interests. The prosecutor told the jurors there was no legal basis to indict, so they didn't. I'm hoping for a very different outcome, when it comes to civil damages.

Thanks for the insight on the grand jury.

If you see Steffy's trial transcripts, this is basically how her trial went!! The prosecutor setup all the evidence, and then Steffy's lawyer didn't question hardly any of it. Even when the deputies told conflicting testimony, she never questioned it.

And the ONLY video they saw was after the cop had beaten the VICTIM and put her in the car! No kidden she cussing him out, I would have been a LOT worse than that.

Her whole trial was a scam, just like her arrest. And just like the treatment at the jail.

This poor woman got the royal shaft.

There are so many people in this country that are sick and tired of what is going on, I pray somewhere out there there is someone in government like you John, who will fight for what is right!! If I were younger, I would be as persistent as you are, but being 70+,

I am sick of it. I have switched to the Libertarian Party. The two parties we have are both distorted versions of what they used to be.

And we DO need good people to run for office. But after seeing DC re-elect a convicted 'crack head' back as mayor and seeing New Orleans elect the SAME people that screwed up Katrina, I just wonder if GOOD people could even get elected!

http://www.cantonrep.com/index.php?ID=435175

I also posted on the 3 teens that were searched.

The probate judge should NOT settle the case until that video is found!!

What do they have, some pedophile, collecting videos of kids being stripped?

HOW can they set damages, until the tape IS found?

What if it ends up on the internet? $100K would NOT cover damages if that happened to MY daughter....would it if it was YOUR daughter?

Again, this is complete BS.

And the staff there needs criminal charges against them. They even admit that they stripped them ONLY to punish them. "Ignorance of the law is no excuse" And there was no excuse for what they did.

I have to wonder if there is something in the water there, or what is up with these people....

BTW Sandy I'm no spring chicken myself....almost 60! OUCH!

John7878

10-14-2008, 09:43 AM

Officials at Stark County & the State investigators are saying they could see nothing wrong with Hope Steffy’s strip video. NOTHING criminal? Are you kidding?

BUT just so we’re all on the same page, lets review the video….

First of all, this video STARTS after Steffy is already forced down on the bunk. The camera operator tells investigators she doesn’t know WHY the whole recording isn’t there. And the piece that is “missing” is exactly when Steffy claimed she was never asked to remove her cloths & was assaulted by the staff. The investigators have NO problems with the ‘magic’ camera? (I contacted the sheriff’s office May 5th and was told the video would “probably” be released in discovery. THIS is the video they NOW claim never existed. They never denied its existence THEN, three MONTHS after it was asked for.)

And IF she was asked, as they claim, they have no problem with the FACT that she is ASKING in the video what they are doing? The FACT that there were EIGHT people taking her to an isolation cell to ASK her to remove her cloths?!

Plus what Swanson & the investigators are saying is that they agree with the strip “policy”. And not only is it ok for 8 people, men & women to be present, the men are also allowed to remove a woman’s cloths. EVEN if there are enough women there to do it. Even though they KNOW it violates federal law? (There are MANY precedents already set in lawsuits.)

And if a woman ‘reacts’ to being stripped by men & women, with spectators also standing there, while being videoed, the men are not ONLY allowed to RESTRAIN her, they are also allowed to pull her arms in submission holds, while yelling for her to “STOP IT”.

And then AFTER she is already stripped naked, its STILL ok for the men to put her in an arm bar submission hold, if she starts screaming while they force her crossed legs against her butt, while waiting to “change a mat”.

And its also ok for the camera, which is supposed to be on the prisoner at ALL times, to deliberately swing away so you can’t tell what they are doing to her. Plus they have no explanation for WHAT they are doing. NO problem here too RIGHT?

===== Yeah, just having a couple men TWICE her size, and a couple women, JUST restraining her isn’t enough, if she doesn’t cooperate, they can also TORTURE her into SUBMISSION. =====

And then once they leave, these “professionals” can have a good laugh…I guess they didn’t realize the camera was STILL running.

THIS is what ALL the investigators are good with?!?! BS!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gDRsCkc-9k0

Just talking to the investigators is a joke. I asked if anyone involved in this had been polygraphed.

THE ANSWER: “Why would we do that, its not admissible in court.”
MY REPLY: “YES, I KNOW its not admissible in court, but police STILL use it to verify testimony, and establish the TRUTH.”
THE ANSWER: “No, no polygraphs.”

See he’s trying to make it seem like there’s no reason to use the polygraph and that they don’t use it in investigations, BUT then you go here:

http://www.ag.state.oh.us/le/investigation/bci_investigation.asp

And you see that the BCI has a POLYGRAPH UNIT!!
See THIS is what I am taking about.

I also KNOW that Stark County jail officials kept information from the investigators, according to Paul Scarsella, when I talked to him.

This whole investigation is a joke.

I have sent this copy to all the Stark County commissioners:

http://www.co.stark.oh.us/internet/HOME.DisplayPage?v_page=commissioners

We need EVERYONE you can get a hold of to contact these people.

Terry99

10-14-2008, 01:00 PM

http://cantonrep.com/index.php?ID=435952&Category=3&subCategoryID=

Don't want to raise anyone else's blood pressure (mine is through the roof), but the Canton Rep endorsed Swanson. Here's the editorial.

Keep Swanson as Stark sheriff
Tuesday, October 14, 2008

Stark County Sheriff Timothy Swanson is no grandstander. He could have done without media coverage — positive and negative — this year. Swanson has responded inadequately to public concern about two recent controversies. But he also leads an agency that is thoroughly professional, reflecting his own competence in law enforcement and his dedication to training and to maintaining high standards. His poor responses to his publicity problems this year don't take away from that accomplishment. The Repository editorial board recommends that voters give him a new term Nov. 4.

Swanson, a Democrat, faces a strong challenge by Republican Lawrence Dordea, former Alliance police chief.

In mid-February, as national media attention again was riveted on Stark County, former Canton police officer Bobby Cutts Jr. was sentenced to life in prison after a jury convicted him of killing his girlfriend and their unborn child. The culmination of this case should remind Stark Countians how well they are served by Swanson's employees, who investigated the crimes and collected the evidence that permitted prosecutors to convict Cutts.

By February, though, controversy was dogging Swanson. For that, thank a Cleveland television station report in late January. The station aired a snippet of a video showing Swanson's deputies undressing an out-of-control inmate who had as much as told them she was suicidal. The video later became evidence in the woman's federal lawsuit against Swanson's department, and someone leaked it to the television station.

The situation cried out for a public response from the sheriff. Instead, Swanson said only that he would not try the case in the media.

What he should have said then is what he said during a September interview with our editorial board: One, that the prosecutor's office had told him not to talk about the situation because of the lawsuit. Two, that deputies don't remove a prisoner's clothing unless a mental health professional orders it as part of a suicide watch, a procedure that appears to have been followed to the letter in this case. Three, that the deputies who removed the woman's clothing were specially trained and certified for the task.

Swanson's deputies and jail employees acted properly in the Hope Steffey case. We say this after seeing sheriff's videos in the case and reading the reports about her arrest and jailing. We say this after reading the report from the Ohio Bureau of Criminal Identification and Investigation, which investigated at Swanson's request and cleared his employees of wrongdoing. We say this knowing that a Stark County grand jury found no reason to indict anyone.

The portion of the video that was aired — out of context — ignited a public furor. Interestingly, Swanson's opponent has not joined the outcry. Meeting with the editorial board, with Swanson across the table, Dordea was asked about the Steffey incident. He responded, "I don't know enough to say ... right or wrong. ..."

Dordea himself fueled the second controversy, about Swanson's use of jail inmates to set up his campaign/public information booth at this year's county fair. Swanson's response — that Stark sheriffs have done this for decades — was dismissive and beside the point. But Dordea performed no better. He showed us something about himself when his campaign tried, at first, to goad The Repository into reporting the sheriff's practice without noting that it was his campaign or county Republicans who were raising the issue. We think the use of inmates to set up the sheriff's fair booth is a mistake. We think political trickery without accountability is, too.

Dordea did a good job of cracking down on the drug scene in Alliance before his retirement at the end of 2007, and Swanson graciously said so in the interview. Swanson's character is such that he gives credit for accomplishments to others, including the people who work for him. Dordea, on the other hand, seems only too willing to cast only himself in the best light, saying at one point in the interview that some of his peers call him "the wise one."

Sheriff Swanson could use a dose of wisdom about communicating with the public. When lack of communication results in public loss of confidence, officeholders lose elections. We believe Sheriff Swanson shouldn't lose this election. We urge voters to keep him in office.

Terry99

10-14-2008, 01:09 PM

Couldn't fit it all on one page. Here are the readers' comments to the editorial which, with one exception, are favorable for Dordea.

Readers' Comments

S. Watermark - 1:49 AM on October 14, 2008
It's amazing to see that the Repository has endorsed Swanson, when all the major police unions in Stark County choose to endorse Dordea for Sheriff. The only police endorsement that Swanson has is the McKinley FOP Lodge 2, which he is a member of. Hopefully the Voters of Stark County will remember how Swanson put the Citizens safety first when he choose to layoff Officers before making other cuts. Such as the "double dipping" staff members that he has working in his administration. I believe it's time for a CHANGE in the Office of Sheriff in Stark County.

R Tucker - 6:16 AM on October 14, 2008
My urge as a democrat tells me to vote NO for Swanson. The reasons are very obvious. A statement is made when all the area police forces endorse Dordea. Along with their expertise and my own reseach of Swanson he should have taken his retirement and left. He is too costly and to troublesome to the county to allow him to remain in office.

Timothy Gang - 7:26 AM on October 14, 2008
The time has come for Swanson to step down. The constant controversies have resulted in nothing more than messy attempted cover-ups. Instead of admitting there could be a problem in his department and fixing it, which would have been the best route, Swanson chose to sweep it under the rug. This has happened in nearly every instance. Its time for a change, no matter what the Rep says. Swanson has run out of excuses and must be replaced.

Matt Seidel - 9:46 AM on October 14, 2008
Will The Repository editorial board ever get anything right for this election? This is simply unbelievable. How can you with a clear conscience condemn the people of Stark county to another term of the terrible leadership and lack of morality displayed by the Swanson administration. I have never in my life seen an article where a sheriff candidates political affiliation was talked about as if it were something that is even supposed to be disclosed. The sheriffs race is a nonpartisan race. That is another issue entirely. The big issue here is how out of touch The Rep editorial board is with every day members of their community. I would encourage all responsible citizens of Stark county to write a letter to the editor in support of the candidate who has displayed integrity, morals, and honor throughout his highly respected carrier. The people of Stark county deserve a leader like Larry Dordea.

Tom Irwin - 10:09 AM on October 14, 2008
This is a no brainer. We pay the sheriff's wages and are owed an explanation as to why deputies of the opposite sex are allowed to strip prisoners. One word from the sheriff that his policy has been changed and this will never happen again, would have gone a long way in getting reelected. Unfortunately, Swanson decided that the very people who pay his wages didn't deserve an explanation. By doing this, voters must now believe that the policy of allowing male guards to strip search female prisoners is still in place and that Swanson condones these actions. Sorry, I TOTALLY disagree and will vote accordingly.

Chris Rudy - 10:20 AM on October 14, 2008
Why didn't The Repository print Tim Swanson's announcement he would retire the day after the election if he wins and then take his new oath of office in January? Why did The Repository print Judge David Stuckis plan to double dip when he attempted to oust Judge Dixie Park for Probate Court? Double dipping doesn't sit well with Stark County voters, though it is a common practice. The Hope Steffey case is all about civil allegations. Nothing criminal happened, anyone in law enforcement knows that. The fact the Stark Sheriffs Office was cleared by the Attorney General and Grand Jury is no great revelation. The civil suit and the jury's decision will be quite another revelation. It was predictable who The Repository would endorse for Sheriff but one would hope they would at least report everything and in the same light. The way The Repository treated endorsements for Dordea by the major police unions/associations in this county was held for weeks and downplayed. One would hope this paper would keep things on an even playing field.

Laurence Floom Jr - 11:28 AM on October 14, 2008
Although I know nothing about either candidate, it is said by others that the major local police agencies in Stark are corrupt. So if they endorse Dordea, the it's only right for the Rep to endorse Swanson.

John7878

10-14-2008, 03:32 PM

Couldn't fit it all on one page. Here are the readers' comments to the editorial which, with one exception, are favorable for Dordea.

Readers' Comments

I can NOT believe ANY paper would endorse this moron.

I left a couple comments myself.

I see what you mean about the blood pressure! :flamemad:

sandyfromoh

10-14-2008, 07:48 PM

John and Terry,
You both are great!!! I always thought the Cleveland Plain Dealer was the most biased newspaper in Ohio, well the Canton Resp, now is #1. What is happening in this country? I just can't believe what is going on anymore. I am so glad I'm at the age I'm at, as I grew up in a wonderful FREE country, God knows where we are going. A lady in church told me around 10 years ago, "I'm glad I'm on the way out!", That is exactly how I feel, I just can't handle it anymore, between the Media, the movies, the TV shows, there is no longer anything good. Give me the old INNOCENT TV shows, the old movies, without a NEGATIVE message, the old Stars, and TV Personalities, who you never knew what political leanings they had. This misscarriage of justice of Hope Steffy, is one other thing that has me all bent out of shape. God Bless you both, and keep it up!!!

Terry99

10-14-2008, 08:31 PM

John7878

10-14-2008, 10:25 PM

Thank you for your kind words Sandy and for all your efforts to alert people to this situation. Please don't get discouraged. The article did say that Dordea was a strong contender. Hopefully on the day after the election we'll all be celebrating and will look like this - :D !

I'd like to think so, but after DC re-elected a convicted crack head and New Orleans re-elected the Katrina mob and Louisiana re-elected a guy with $90,000 of marked FBI bills in his freezer, I have to wonder just who people WILL vote for!

My last response to that article:

The really sick part of this whole story isn't what Stark County cops did to Steffy.

The REALLY sick part is that anyone can back up Stark County cops & Swanson on this illegal perversion of theirs.
THATS the really sick part. ===

EVERYONE has to KNOW this was all a BS arrest and 'suicide prevention'. Theres just TOO many conflicting versions, TOO much evidence "missing", a MONTHS long "investigation" that leaves too many questions, and too many illogical explanations for everything that was done.

The thought that anyone, let alone this paper, could want Swanson for another term just gives me the creeps.

John7878

10-15-2008, 07:01 AM

My last response to that article:

The really sick part of this whole story isn't what Stark County cops did to Steffy.

The REALLY sick part is that anyone can back up Stark County cops & Swanson on this illegal perversion of theirs.
THATS the really sick part. ===

EVERYONE has to KNOW this was all a BS arrest and 'suicide prevention'. Theres just TOO many conflicting versions, TOO much evidence "missing", a MONTHS long "investigation" that leaves too many questions, and too many illogical explanations for everything that was done.

The thought that anyone, let alone this paper, could want Swanson for another term just gives me the creeps.

They wouldn't print this one!

So they skipped this one and then printed this one:

Cindy Arnold, its voters like you that we can thank for have a political system like we do.

People like in DC, that re-elect a convicted crack head. People in New Orleans that re-elect the Katrina mob. And the people in Louisiana, that re-elect a representative that had $90,000 of marked FBI money hidden in his freezer.

So whats the deal? You just a 'party' voter?

Because I can't believe anyone would actually want Swanson back in, except a zealot party person. And even then I would have to doubt their sanity, because this isn't a party issue.
The fact that law enforcement people across the country, a CBS legal analyst, and even another county sheriff have condemned Swanson's abuses must mean nothing to you.

And my stance isn't JUST about being against Swanson. I am actually for Larry Dordea, he HAS proven his leadership for many years.
And I believe he would change policies that would protect taxpayers wallets, protect the safety of his deputies, would protect the rights of the people, and would know the difference between having prisoners do community service compared to building their campaign booth.

I just hope "blind" voters like you don't keep this embarrassment of a sheriff in office.

Larry Dordea for Sheriff
http://www.dordeaforsheriff.com/

John7878

10-15-2008, 03:11 PM

They wouldn't print this one!

So they skipped this one and then printed this one:

Ok I lost track, they DID print that one....my mistake.

And then I went back to the article about What happened to Hope. Since the paper wanted to endorse Swanson, I wanted to try to put another nail in his coffin.

========================
Well after seeing this paper's endorsement of Swanson, I guess I need to post more.

QUOTE
"In her lawsuit, Steffey says deputies jammed her face into the concrete floor, a claim the sheriff's office denies."

QUOTE
"The medical staff gave her a precaution suit to wear and examined her nose, which was bruised."

Conflicting testimony and then the FACTS of Steffy's injuries. Cripes! How much more proof would any reasonable person need!??!

QUOTE
"Steffey also called her husband on a recorded line. She said nothing about being stripped, just that she had been naked in a jail cell. They argued about her getting arrested."

She also told her husband that she thought the police had broken her nose. GEE, the paper left out THAT little detail too!

And what does her not telling her husband about being stripped have to do with anything?
She should relive that horror again after being traumatized by Swanson's jail staff, using what the TRAINING ACADEMY says is a LAST OPTION?

Do I need to go on? Because I have MORE. But is there ANYONE that isn't getting the picture yet?

==============================

Well Swanson is caught in a LIE! But will it be enough to keep him from getting re-elected?

And the paper is caught skewing/slanting/omitting facts, but will people still wrap their fish in this rag?

Only time will tell......:D

Terry99

10-15-2008, 04:05 PM

John7878

10-16-2008, 06:11 AM

You sure know how to keep the heat on John. I particularly liked your positive comments about Dordea and that you disputed the claim that others in law enforcement supported Swanson's policy when nothing could be further from the truth. As you pointed out, all of the experts said it deviated from the norm and they would not have done it that way. Also, that you keep pointing out the missing evidence and inconsistencies. I agree that the original Canton Rep article was extremely slanted. You just have to read the part describing the actual strip and compare it to the videotape. According to them, she used an expletive while the deputies were the soul of kindness, explaining the situation to her and telling her to relax and breathe. It fails to mention that for the the most part "relax" was said in a harsh tone and that nothing was explained to her, no words were spoken gently to her, until after she was already half naked and hysterical. I don't believe they ever gave her the option to comply voluntarily so she was naturally confused and in great fear. Then they say she was out of control. I won't have to wait till after the election to do this :D because your last line about wrapping fish in "this rag" made me smile.

One last note - the paper made it seem like Dordea was using the Steffey case, saying one thing in public and another in private. In fact, months ago on his blog he said he didn't have all the facts and wouldn't pass judgment on the deputies. He blamed the situation on Swanson's policies and said he would review all of them and change them where necessary to prevent a situation of this kind from happening again. One thing maybe we can all agree on is that the paper's reasons for supporting Swanson and rejecting Dordea were ridiculous. That's the lamest endorsement I've ever seen.

Someone must have gotten "heat" about this.....the jail standards have been changed....

Maybe this is why when I called the sheriff's office to see if they were still using men & women on a Critical Response Team to strip people, they just claimed to be following "policy".
I said, I'm NOT asking about the policy, I am asking if you are STILL using men & women on a Critical Response Team to strip people.
She repeated that they were following "policy", and then hung up on me.
(Yeah these people, in the public sector, the taxpayers employees, have NOTHING to hide.) :flamemad:

BTW, I called right back and told her I wasn't done, and to not be hanging up on me.

So then after I asked a question, she switched me to Human Resources.

(Grrrrrrrrrrrr) :cuss:

The only problem with this new regulation is that the state is STILL mandating HOW they will deal with an inmate.

The training school that describes this as a LAST option in a suicide prevention, is AGAIN promoted as the ONLY option.

I find it hard to believe that mental heath doctor's would 'prescribe' this same solution to people that they are claiming are depressed.

Then add into the equation that the system for designating WHO is suicidal is flawed. (A woman who turned herself in, on a home school issue. A woman who works in corrections, that didn't signal a lane change.)

And AGAIN they say that a doctor can "diagnose" & "prescribe" this OVER THE PHONE?!?!

How do you justify doing this to people who are innocent? (Yeah we know you probably aren't suicidal, but we are going to "error on the side of caution".) And yeah we know its traumatic, but the doc can't be bothered to come in and actually SEE you.

Can't these people be bothered to write a GOOD set of rules?

http://www.drc.state.oh.us/web/drc_policies/documents/67-MNH-09.pdf

EFFECTIVE DATE:
January 26, 2008

Page 7

2. For each offender placed on suicide watch the following shall occur:

a. The offender shall be housed in a safe cell.

b. The safe cell shall be inspected for safety immediately before the offender’s placement, according to DRC policy, 310-SEC-01, Inmates and Physical Plant Searches.
Documentation of the completion of the cell search will be documented on the Suicide Watch and/or Immobilizing Restraint Observation Log (DRC2534).

c. The offender shall be strip-searched before being placed in the designated safe cell that has been inspected immediately prior and the strip search and cell inspection will be documented on the Suicide Watch and/or Immobilizing Restraint Log, (DRC2534).

d. A Bureau of Mental Health Services (BOMHS) approved suicide-resistant gown and suicide blanket will be provided at the conclusion of the strip search. Provision will be made to supply the offender with a security garment that will promote offender safety in a way that is designed to prevent humiliation and degradation.

3. Mental Health treatment team, in conjunction with correctional staff, may request a housing placement of an offender not on suicide watch, in a safe cell for focused mental health intervention for a specified period of time with designated mental health follow up daily.

John7878

10-16-2008, 08:00 AM

Someone must have gotten "heat" about this.....the jail standards have been changed....

EFFECTIVE DATE:
January 26, 2008

Hmmm I notice that it says that THESE standards replaced ones from 2006:

SUPERSEDES:
67-MNH-09 dated 04/28/06

So THESE rules are the ones that should have been used in Hope Steffy's case.

But the ones Swanson is quoting from, in Steffy's case, are dated 2003!

http://www.drc.state.oh.us/web/TwelveHourStandards2003-01.pdf

Minimum Standards for Jails in Ohio
Twelve Hour Jails
Bureau of Adult Detention
January 2003

BTW in the paper article they are saying the inmate has to be checked in 15min intervals. But state requirements in his posted regulations say 10min intervals.

And the end of the article that says an inmate won't get a covering, there is NO state rule that says that, in the 2003 rules, Swanson quotes, or any other I have found.

So it would seem that these rules printed in the paper are not accurate or out of date.

http://www.cantonrep.com/index.php?ID=433318

This just gets better & better......

Terry99

10-16-2008, 11:18 AM

Terry99

10-16-2008, 12:22 PM

http://cantonrep.com/index.php?ID=436347&Category=7&subCategoryID=

http://cantonrep.com/index.php?ID=436348&Category=7&subCategoryID=

This is not directly related to the Steffey case, but you may be interested in seeing these two opinion articles that appeared in today's Canton Rep. They're pro-Dordea/anti-Swanson. After so many accusations of bias, guess they had to start printing the other side.

John7878

10-16-2008, 10:04 PM

John, how does this revision affect the use of the emergency response team for "difficult or combative" patients? I didn't see anything about forceably removing someone's clothes or the gender of the personnel involved in the process. Don't know what earlier versions said so am not sure what's different about it. It's entitled "minimum standards" and doesn't actually forbid anything, so maybe there's still room for localities to implement additional procedures. I'd like to be optimistic, but I'm not. This issue will probably only be settled in the courts, as you said earlier.

Yes, 'minimum' standards, so the sheriff can still have leeway. But the language in the new rules says they undergo a "strip search", which means men should NO LONGER be allowed.

Yeah I have not found a copy of the previous rules. (2006) So I don't know what differences there are either.

Heres a letter I sent:

Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Correction DRC - Policies

Julie.Walburn@odrc.state.oh.us

I see since the controversy about stripping people in suicide preventions that the rules have been changed.

The only problem with this new regulation is that the state is STILL mandating HOW they will deal with an inmate. Insisting on a strip search. Instead of letting the doctors decide, or allowing another options, such as a restraint chair, medications, or sending them to a REAL medical unit that would have all the equipment and medications to deal with these people.

Stripping people naked at the jail, that you are saying are depressed, doesn't seem like a solution at all. These methods at training schools describes this as a LAST option in a suicide prevention, but the new rules promote it as the ONLY option.

I find it hard to believe that a "regular" mental heath doctor's would 'prescribe' stripping people naked that they are claiming are depressed.

Then add into the equation that the system for designating WHO is suicidal is flawed. (A woman who turned herself in, on a home school issue. A woman who works in corrections, that didn't signal a lane change.)

And AGAIN the rules say that a doctor can "diagnose" & "prescribe" a strip search OVER THE PHONE?!?!
How do you justify doing this to people who are innocent? (Yeah we know you probably aren't suicidal, but we are going to "error on the side of caution".)
And yeah we know its traumatic, but the doc can't be bothered to come in and actually SEE you.

Can't anyone be bothered to write a GOOD set of rules?

EFFECTIVE DATE: January 26, 2008 (Page 7)
http://www.drc.state.oh.us/web/drc_policies/documents/67-MNH-09.pdf

Terry99

10-18-2008, 01:17 PM

http://www.starkpolitics.blogspot.com/

Saturday, October 18, 2008

Massillon Independent Endorses Larry Dordea for Sheriff -- Says Change is Needed

Larry Dordea's campaign for Sheriff got a major boost today with the endorsement by the Massillon Independent. Dordea, who is from Alliance in Eastern Stark County, will certainly benefit from the support of the County's west side newspaper.

The editorial:

Change is needed in sheriff’s office

In the race for Stark County Sheriff between incumbent Timothy Swanson, a Democrat, and challenger Larry Dordea, a Republican, The Independent endorses former Alliance Chief of Police Larry Dordea. Sheriff Swanson has been in office for nine years, having been re-elected twice after being appointed to the post in 1999.

The sheriff’s department is facing budget cuts next year and Swanson has said he would live within that budget even if it means layoffs. Chief Dordea’s record in what was once a crime-troubled community is sterling. His leadership helped facilitate a significant drop in the crime rate despite minimal annual budget increases and he believes he can bring a similar performance to the sheriff’s office. He proposes inter-departmental cooperation with police departments throughout Stark County and vows to get more value out of the taxpayer’s dollar. While Sheriff Swanson’s deputies acted within the letter of the law in the highly-publicized Hope Steffey jail incident, there clearly needs to be change in how such a prisoner is processed. Swanson is reluctant to say he would have his charges do anything different should similar circumstances occur. Such a position is troubling, especially in light of the negative publicity cast on the sheriff’s department as a result of this matter.

Chief Dordea’s commitment to a more fiscally responsible operation and our belief that the sheriff’s office has become too politicized in recent years tips our endorsement to the Republican candidate.

John7878

10-19-2008, 09:47 AM

http://www.starkpolitics.blogspot.com/

While Sheriff Swanson’s deputies acted within the letter of the law in the highly-publicized Hope Steffey jail incident,

Hey Terry thanks for the post!

I still question this statement. How the heck would we know that when it seems the "investigation" is incomplete?

After a MONTHS long investigation this is what is printed in the paper:

QUOTE:"Deputies said Steffey was told she would have to give up her clothes and was given the opportunity to remove them voluntarily. But none could recall who made those statements, according to the state investigation."

HOW do you leave one of the main points left unanswered? Especially when they have the means to find out. The BCI Website has a whole polygraph division.

Then the accusation of them jamming her face in the floor is denied, even as its reported that they treated her for a bruised nose.
I have to think this is evidence of a LIE. So theres no criminal act of police by lying?

The fact that I told the "investigators" that the Sheriff's dept withheld information from them....thats in no way criminal?

And the video itself, I guess they are also ok with submission holds or "joint manipulation" being used by 2 guys twice Steffy's size, until she's crying out in pain. When obviously they were large enough to JUST restrain her.

There seems to be plenty of circumstantial evidence also that there were criminal actions by police.
So I'm left wondering just what would it take to JUST put them on trial? Let alone convict them.
===============================================

Anyway after I contacted BCI, I get this email from one of the "investigators".

With all the BS, they are shoveling, I'm left wondering how to respond.
Any suggestions?

The Email: Wed, 10/15/08 1:17PM

Thank you for your email regarding the Hope Steffy matter. This incident was investigated by the Ohio Bureau of Identification and Investigation (BCI & I) and all the evidence, including the testimony of Ms. Steffy was presented to the grand jury. The grand jury did not indict anyone related to this incident and the investigation is closed. I know that you have spoken with my supervisor, Paul Scarsella, and I believe that we have spoken before regarding this case, but if you need anything further, my contact information is below.
Thank you,
Bridget Carty
Bridget Carty
Assistant Attorney General, Special Prosecutions
Ohio Attorney General's Office
30 E. Broad Street, 14th Floor
Columbus, Ohio 43215
Phone: (614) 466-1771
Fax: (614) 466-6172
============================================

PS a little tidbit right from their own website:

Excessive force -- an application of force which, either by the type of force employed, or the extent to which such force is employed, exceeds that force which reasonably appears to be necessary under all the circumstances surrounding the incident. Force shall never be used as punishment. Only the amount of force necessary to control the situation shall be used.

Terry99

10-19-2008, 12:24 PM

I agree with you 100%, John. However, I believe Dordea supporters are keeping their eyes on the prize. He needs the backing of the police unions and individuals in Stark county law enforcement in order to win, so they're putting all the emphasis on Swanson's indecent policy. With only a few weeks till the election, I would accept this line of reasoning for now just to accomplish the goal of electing Dordea so that the policy will be changed.

Seems like they designated Hope as combative because she supposedly turned her face and pulled away from them. (Anyone who has never been to jail and is not used to being cuffed and manhandled would probably flinch or have the urge to resist being pushed and jerked around.) They use this pathetic excuse to go immediately to the use of intimidation (having 8 guards surround her in the cell) and force. She's sad and distraught, so instead of sending in the women first without the camera and trying to calm her down, to get her to comply voluntarily, they just go right to violence and humiliation. They had too many men there; males participated in removing her clothes when it wasn't necessary; instead of leaving, the males lingered in order to stare down at her, bend down close to her behind and proceed to repeatedly cross one of her feet over the other. I'm sure they'll say crossing her feet at the ankles would keep her from getting up before they could exit. However, she wasn't moving at all and they could have been out of the cell in a few steps. Not everything they did was called for by the policy; they made choices that were reprehensible.

One suggestion I wanted to make to you many times is that you summarize your questions and observations (like the ones in your most recent post) and any relevant information you've been able to obtain from all your contacts and send it to Hope's lawyers. You would think they would be covering all the bases but unfortunately that's not always the case (as you saw in the first trial transcript). You may be able to point out things they missed or questions that the average person (like a juror) might have and want answered.

I don't have any great ideas. I've e-mailed a famous civil rights firm to find out how to go about changing the law at the Federal level (good luck to me on that one).

Terry99

10-19-2008, 02:35 PM

Sorry John, I missed your question about how to respond specifically to Bridget Carty. I don't know what you said in your e-mail, but what I would say is the following:

Your office completely controls what happens in the Grand Jury...who testifies, what questions are asked, what evidence is presented, etc. You advise jurors as to the law. It's a one-sided affair and it is well known that DAs, in the overwhelming majority of cases, get the results they want. There seems to be a lot of selectivity as well in the information you reveal to the public. You want it known that Hope Steffey testified (although she couldn't have her attorney present); you won't disclose whether or not the jail personnel were represented by their lawyers. You say the jury saw the evidence but won't say whether or not that included the video of the strip itself.

You overlook significant breaches of policy like failure to record the first part of the incident and the camera operator intentionally panning away during key moments. How do you know personnel did nothing wrong if you don't know what they did. You just accept their word for everything? You accept that Hope was given an opportunity to comply voluntarily though there's no record of it whatsoever and no one remembers who asked her? If you were dealing with a case involving civilians, would your antenna be going up at these responses?

They designated Hope as combative because she supposedly turned her face and pulled away from them. (Someone who has never been to jail and is not used to being cuffed and manhandled would probably flinch or have the urge to resist being pushed and jerked around.) Again, there is no independent evidence that any of this even occurred. They then use this pathetic excuse to go immediately to intimidation (having 8 guards surround her in the cell) and force. She's sad and distraught, so instead of sending in the women first without the camera and trying to calm her down, to get her to comply voluntarily, they just go right to violence and humiliation. Clearly she had no idea what they planned to do or why. There were too many men there; males participated in removing her clothes when it wasn't necessary; instead of leaving, the males lingered in order to stare down at her, bend down close to her behind and proceed to repeatedly cross one of her feet over the other. I'm sure they'll say crossing her feet at the ankles would keep her from getting up before they could exit. However, she wasn't moving at all and they could have been out of the cell in a few steps. Not everything they did was called for by the policy; they made choices that were reprehensible.

This whole thing started from a base of immorality (the policy) and then was taken to the next level by the actions of the jail personnel. You have put your seal of approval on what they did and trivialized the incident by characterizing it as an issue of "modesty" vs. "safety" when in fact it is an issue of prisoners' rights and human dignity. It's "trauma, humiliation and degradation" vs. "expediency".

There has been an outcry not just from Ohio, but from the country and the world. All of the experts that I have seen quoted said what was done to Hope Steffey was a deviation (an apt term) from the norm and they would not recommend it. What makes Stark County so different from most of the civilized world that it needs to treat it's prisoners in such a detestable manner?

I know we have a different syle of writing and my response is a little long-winded, but you're welcome to use some, none or all of it. If you would prefer me to send this to Bridget Carty (on the "there's strength in numbers" theory), I will. I'd rather e-mail it though, so if you'd like me to forward it to her please give me her e-mail information. Just let me know what you want me to do. Thanks.

sandyfromoh

10-19-2008, 04:06 PM

[QUOTE=Terry99;12309762]I agree with you 100%, John.

One suggestion I wanted to make to you many times is that you summarize your questions and observations (like the ones in your most recent post) and any relevant information you've been able to obtain from all your contacts and send it to Hope's lawyers.

Great Idea Terry!! Go John!! Between the 2 of you, just maybe there will be a positive outcome for Hope! God Bless the both of you! I may not be contacting all the people you both have, but I did try and as yet haven't gotten any answers. Wish I wasn't afraid to go to Stark County and spread the word about Hope, but with my mouth, I'd be in jail and I really couldn't go through what she went through. I apologize to both of you that I don't do more, but my writing skills are not close to the both of you, and my language, well let's just say I would be censored! That's the reason I wouldn't dare call anyone about this.
But, I've been reading and linking to all the quotes you both have made, and I've sent them on to my email list of over 100. Again, God Bless you Both!!!!

John7878

10-19-2008, 07:23 PM

Seems like they designated Hope as combative because she supposedly turned her face and pulled away from them. (Anyone who has never been to jail and is not used to being cuffed and manhandled would probably flinch or have the urge to resist being pushed and jerked around.)

If you go back to this link, someone was sticking up for the cops, and I covered some of this already.

http://cantonrep.com/index.php?ID=435952&Category=3&subCategoryID=

They claimed this was one of the reasons for the strip, BUT the booking was done afterwards. And even if it had been before, then it just suggests it was done for punishment.

They had too many men there; males participated in removing her clothes when it wasn't necessary; instead of leaving, the males lingered in order to stare down at her, bend down close to her behind and proceed to repeatedly cross one of her feet over the other. I'm sure they'll say crossing her feet at the ankles would keep her from getting up before they could exit. However, she wasn't moving at all and they could have been out of the cell in a few steps. Not everything they did was called for by the policy; they made choices that were reprehensible.

Yes, and then at that link they are telling other police that they were uncomfortable there. Sounds like CYA in action to me. I don't think they are sorry, just sorry they got caught.

One suggestion I wanted to make to you many times is that you summarize your questions and observations (like the ones in your most recent post) and any relevant information you've been able to obtain from all your contacts and send it to Hope's lawyers.

I have contacted Steffy's lawyers. I have offered to assist in ANY way I can, including coming to Ohio and testifying. And I will take a polygraph test, unlike the deputies.

I don't have any great ideas. I've e-mailed a famous civil rights firm to find out how to go about changing the law at the Federal level (good luck to me on that one).

That is exactly what we need! I haven't had any luck with it, so I'm voting against all incumbents. Maybe the new batch will be more receptive.

Terry99

10-19-2008, 07:27 PM

Sandy, so glad to hear from you. Thanks for your encouraging words. I've always been afraid to post on a message board before and now it's like I can't shut up.

John, as far as I know, you were the first person to point out the laughter at the end of the videotape. Did you mention that to Hope's attorneys? Generally, people have a bias in favor of law enforcement personnel and give their testimony more credence. If jurors are offended by the laughter, it may be one factor in helping to even out the playing field.

Just one more comment (I promise) - as far as the Grand Jury decision, that won't change no matter what we do. I can't argue on the merits of the law, because I don't know what the law says. I will write to Bridget Carty just to protest. There is little to no hope that I will get a meaningful response. Nevertheless, I will be more than happy to send a letter (yes, I changed my mind and will spring for the 42 cents postage even in this bad economy) just for the satisfaction of telling her off.

sandyfromoh

10-19-2008, 08:29 PM

John7878

10-20-2008, 07:08 AM

I would say is the following:

Your office completely controls what happens in the Grand Jury...who testifies, what questions are asked, what evidence is presented, etc. You advise jurors as to the law. It's a one-sided affair

Hmmm I wonder just who does control what questions were asked, and who was interviewed. I'll have to ask.
These investigators aren't stupid. They know as well as anyone this was all a setup. And after the "investigation" they probably know even better than the rest of us.

You overlook significant breaches of policy like failure to record the first part of the incident and the camera operator intentionally panning away during key moments. How do you know personnel did nothing wrong if you don't know what they did. You just accept their word for everything? You accept that Hope was given an opportunity to comply voluntarily though there's no record of it whatsoever and no one remembers who asked her? If you were dealing with a case involving civilians, would your antenna be going up at these responses?

And as you point out here are three MAIN points that are never resolved. They could have investigated these, instead of just leaving them as they were, but someone knows they shouldn't.
Like you say, they would be suspicious in a civilian case.

As in the three teen girls that were abused, I'm thinking they want to settle this and make it all go away, before these questions HAVE to be answered.

I don't expect this case to EVER see court.

They can NOT afford to have it go to court. Not only would it expose the abuses to Steffy, but then it would also show how bogus the "investigation" was afterwards.
Then you'd have not only the sheriff's dept in hot water, but the BCI as well, and probably others in state government, since the Atty Gen gave her stamp of approval on the investigation.

And as I pointed out the "policy" has been changed. This is one of the things they were suing for.
I still don't like the new policy, in some ways, its worse than the old one.

Also I don't expect to see the 'settlement' until AFTER the elections. I think its going to be a big one, and they won't want people to see it just before election time.

They designated Hope as combative because she supposedly turned her face and pulled away from them.

Yeah, statements like this make me wonder if those people have had a mental evaluation lately.

This whole thing started from a base of immorality (the policy) and then was taken to the next level by the actions of the jail personnel. You have put your seal of approval on what they did and trivialized the incident by characterizing it as an issue of "modesty" vs. "safety" when in fact it is an issue of prisoners' rights and human dignity. It's "trauma, humiliation and degradation" vs. "expediency".

Safety, yeah I pretty much blew that excuse out of the water. Using their OWN proof!
They like to fall back on this poor excuse, I guess because its the only one they have, and better a poor excuse, than none at all.

There has been an outcry not just from Ohio, but from the country and the world. All of the experts that I have seen quoted said what was done to Hope Steffey was a deviation (an apt term) from the norm and they would not recommend it. What makes Stark County so different from most of the civilized world that it needs to treat it's prisoners in such a detestable manner?

The fact is that the people that set up this policy had to KNOW that it was against federal law.
There are MANY lawsuits over this. This isn't an isolated incident. This has happened many times, over many years, in many different states.

The surprising thing is how LONG these abuses can go on for. To get them stopped a person has to go through what Steffy is going through now. And most women when they go through something like this, just want to forget it happened. Only if one woman comes forward will some come out and tell their stories.
This has been going on in Stark County for 10 years! We had Calumet City in Illinois, stripping every woman stopped for traffic violations or misdemeanors for 6 years! They KNEW it was illegal. There was precedent set for it, but they got away with it for years anyway.

I know we have a different style of writing and my response is a little long-winded, but you're welcome to use some, none or all of it. If you would prefer me to send this to Bridget Carty (on the "there's strength in numbers" theory), I will. I'd rather e-mail it though, so if you'd like me to forward it to her please give me her e-mail information. Just let me know what you want me to do. Thanks.

Bridget E.Carty <BCarty@ag.state.oh.us>
Paul L. Scarsella <PScarsella@ag.state.oh.us>
Pamela Davis <PDavis@ag.state.oh.us>

Thats why I wanted suggestions, to get a view of a different 'style'. Always good to get a different slant on things.

John7878

10-21-2008, 06:15 AM

John, as far as I know, you were the first person to point out the laughter at the end of the videotape. Did you mention that to Hope's attorneys? Generally, people have a bias in favor of law enforcement personnel and give their testimony more credence. If jurors are offended by the laughter, it may be one factor in helping to even out the playing field.

Jurors? As I have pointed out before and in my response to Bridget, this case will NEVER go to court.
They can't afford to let it go to court.

It will be the same as the three teen girls, settled and then forgotten, before answering any questions.

I will write to Bridget Carty just to protest. There is little to no hope that I will get a meaningful response. just for the satisfaction of telling her off.

Basically I just wanted the answer to one question, who was directing the investigation.

So whats you letter look like?

Heres the one I sent to all of them, tried to do as you suggested, but afraid I was rushed. I am working at home trying to get stuff done before winter.

THE LETTER:

Ms Carty,

During the investigation, who was actually in charge of making decisions? Like who they would interview, what questions they would ask, and had the final say in what "evidence" they would use.

Also after months of investigating, how do you leave unanswered questions? Especially main ones, pivotal to the whole case. Unless the CantonRep reported it wrong last month when they printed another article about the case. Along with the full version of the strip video, or at least what they claim to have of it.

QUOTE ”The sergeant in charge of videotaping the removal of Steffey's clothes — seen on tape holding a camera moments earlier — told a state investigator that she thought the camera recorded the entire incident. She didn't know why it hadn't.”

Is this true? And if so ....that’s it?!? Was the camera checked? So how many times had it done this BEFORE this incident…or AFTER?

And HOW would the camera record the “whole thing” when the camera operator is swinging away the camera, during the strip video, at the “mat change”, JUST as the males move up and Steffy starts freaking out. Then when the camera swings back they have her crossed legs forced up against her butt.

NO CRIMINAL CHARGES???

So what were these "Professionals" doing forcing her legs around, with their heads level with her butt?
Yet another unanswered question.

BTW, I called the sheriff’s dept at the beginning of May, three months after everyone was asking for the rest of this video. They told me it was “probably” going to be released to Steffy’s lawyers.

WOW, how do you release video that NEVER existed?? They never denied its existence then, but now its gone?

Nothing criminal or even suspicious here either?

QUOTE “Two male deputies restrained Steffey, while a female deputy and a female corrections officer removed her clothes. Deputies said Steffey was told she would have to give up her clothes and was given the opportunity to remove them voluntarily. But none could recall who made those statements, according to the state investigation.”

NO, two males twice her size, not ONLY restrained her, they put submission holds (joint manipulation) on her till she was yelling in pain, more than once.

YEAH, having 2 guys twice her size, plus 2 other women, JUST restraining her in handcuffs isn’t enough, if she resists, they can also torture her into submission.

I can NOT believe you, or anyone can find nothing criminal here. Because law enforcement experts across the country do.

And the males also helped remove her cloths, no problem here either eh?

And THEN after months of investigation, no one can recall who made the statements?!?!

That’s it? No one can remember, so it’s just dropped? Are you kidding?

HOW ABOUT THE LAUGHTER AT THE END OF THE VIDEO?

Authorities have claimed time & again that these people were "Professionals", but then we have PROOF that they are not.

You left it lay here? You had the means to find out the truth, but just didn’t make the effort. (Or at least someone made the decision not to.)

QUOTE “In her lawsuit, Steffey says deputies jammed her face into the concrete floor, a claim the sheriff's office denies.”

BUT THEN THE ARTICLE STATES:

QUOTE “The medical staff gave her a precaution suit to wear and examined her nose, which was bruised.”

This looks like a LIE from the sheriff.

Nothing criminal here? No alarms going off?

Then we have the last call I made to you, I told you that Stark County had withheld information from the investigators.

It seemed like no big deal to you, and neither you or Paul asked any more about it. (Didn't want to know?)
No charges here either? Nothing suspicious?

As in the three teen girls that were abused, I'm thinking they want to settle this and make it all go away, before these questions HAVE to be answered.

I don't expect this case to EVER see court.

Authorities can NOT afford to have it go to court.

Not only would it expose the abuses to Steffy, but then it would also show how bogus the "investigation" was afterwards.
Then you'd have not only the sheriff's dept in hot water, but the BCI as well, and probably others in state government, since the Atty Gen gave her stamp of approval on the investigation.

And I see the "policy" has been changed. This is one of the things Greg & Steffy were suing for.
(I still don't like the new policy, in some ways, it’s worse than the old one. )

Also I don't expect to see the 'settlement' until AFTER the elections. I think its going to be a big one, and they won't want people to see it just before election time.
When I told the Sheriff's dept this "theory" of mine they assured me this would NOT happen.....LoL, care to take any bets?

Anyway, so how about the first question?

WHO was making the decisions in this investigation?

John7878

10-21-2008, 06:22 AM

John, Great idea about contacting Hope's atty. Even greater if you would come to Ohio! I also will not be voting for any incumbents, I've been saying that for the last year, they get too comfortable and feel and do whatever they want! Terry, it's great hearing from you and between the two of you I think you should be a write in for President & Vice President! I'll keep reading and even though I don't write alot, I'm with both of you all the way!:beer:

Well its great having your support, but unfortunately this board doesn't seem to reach a lot of people.

I have been thinking about writing a letter to the editor, to try to get this in where more people will see it.

Accuse them of trying to bury this, like they did the last case. Maybe it will stir people up, so they still demand answers. Even if the suit is settled. (Doubtful, but worth a shot.)

I can see whats going to happen, I just can't come up with a way to scuttle their plans. :(

Any ideas? Anyone?

sandyfromoh

10-21-2008, 03:47 PM

Well its great having your support, but unfortunately this board doesn't seem to reach a lot of people.

I have been thinking about writing a letter to the editor, to try to get this in where more people will see it.

Accuse them of trying to bury this, like they did the last case. Maybe it will stir people up, so they still demand answers. Even if the suit is settled. (Doubtful, but worth a shot.)

I can see whats going to happen, I just can't come up with a way to scuttle their plans. :(

Any ideas? Anyone?

When I first saw the video on WKYC, I sent emails to Nancy Grace, Glenn Beck, Bill O'Reilly, Greta Van Sustren, and emailed Romana Robinson on the station. For some reason, the station is not following it anymore, I also sent some of your quotes (John) to the investigating reporter, but never heard back from him. I did hear from Romana, but it was like she couldn't do anything. There will be a revolution in this country I do believe, people like us are not going to take this much longer without a fight. We are losing our country!

Terry99

10-21-2008, 07:00 PM

So whats your letter look like? John, it's pretty much like my previous post. Except, I intended to shorten it and instead, it's longer. I suffer from "Oh, and another thing" syndrome. Sent it this morning, so now I'll be camping out at my mailbox with a blanket and a thermos waiting for Ms. Carty's point-by-point response. I'll give her until Christmas, and then I'll just give up.

Here's the text of the letter:

I recently read an article on Cantonrep.com, which was supposed to clear up all the issues in the Hope Steffey case. The paper subsequently put out a strong editorial in support of the current sheriff, endorsing him for reelection and backing his deputies’ actions 100%. Despite the obvious bias in the reporting, what I read in that article, saw and heard on audio and videotapes, has left me even more appalled at the abuse heaped upon Mrs. Steffey.

You keep saying the grand jurors refused to indict. Having served on a grand jury myself, I know that your office completely controls what happens there...who testifies, what questions are asked, what evidence is presented, etc. You advise jurors as to the law. It's a one-sided affair and it is well known that DAs, in the overwhelming majority of cases, get the results they want. Why don’t you just admit that you decided not to indict and be honest about it. You claim that you are barred from revealing what evidence was presented (but keep stressing that Hope had an opportunity to testify). So the public doesn’t even know if the videotape of the strip was shown to jurors or if anyone else present during the arrest was allowed to dispute Gurlea’s account of what transpired while his camera was off.

You fail to point out that there were significant breaches of policy, like failure to record the first part of the incident in the holding cell and the camera operator intentionally panning away during key moments. How do you know personnel did nothing wrong if you don't know what they did? Where did Hope's injuries (which were not attended to) come from? You just accept their word for everything? You accept that Hope was given an opportunity to comply voluntarily though there's no record of it whatsoever and no one remembers who asked her? If you were dealing with a case involving civilians, would your antennae be going up at these responses?

They designated Hope as combative because she supposedly turned her face and pulled away from them. (Someone who has never been to jail and is not used to being cuffed and manhandled would probably flinch or have the urge to resist being pushed and jerked around.) In any event, there is no independent evidence that any of this even occurred. In an earlier article, Gurlea was quoted as saying she was calm when he left her at the jail. In the audiotape of her interview with the LPN, her speech is slow and barely audible. They then use this pretext of combativeness to go directly to intimidation (having 8 guards surround her in the cell) and force. She's sad and distraught, so instead of sending in the women first without the camera and trying to reassure her, to get her to comply voluntarily, they just go right to violence and humiliation. Clearly, she had no idea what they planned to do or why. From the hall video it appears there were actually 4 men (an obscene number) and 4 women (enough to do the job?) present. Males didn’t just restrain her, they participated in removing her panties and bra when it wasn't necessary. Instead of leaving, the males lingered in order to stare down at her, bend down close to her buttocks and repeatedly cross one foot over the other. I'm sure they'll say crossing her feet at the ankles would keep her from getting up before they could exit. However, she wasn't moving at all and they could have been out of the cell in a few steps. On the videotape, did you happen to hear the laughter in the hallway as they left the cell? Maybe not illegal, but disgraceful and offensive. Not everything they did was called for by the policy; they made choices that were reprehensible. She’s diagnosed over the phone and given no covering whatsoever; left completely naked for six hours. She wasn’t a ranting, raving lunatic. It’s just outrageous!

This whole thing started from a base of immorality (the policy) and then was taken to the next level by the actions of the jail personnel. Like Christy Palmer of BCI, who trivialized the incident by characterizing it as an issue of "modesty" vs. "safety", it seems you have put your seal of approval on what happened. This is, in fact, an issue of prisoners' rights and human dignity. It's "trauma, humiliation and degradation" vs. "expediency".

When I look at this case in its totality what I see is an ordinary citizen with too much to drink who mouthed off and annoyed an officer. He got angry and may have used more force than was needed. Someone said “get out the camera, he’s beating her“, and from that point forward his only interest was in protecting himself. Probably the reason the person who attacked Hope initially wasn’t charged is because they didn’t want to give Hope’s story any credibility. What followed at the jail is a case of abuse and excess, and negligence on the part of the psychologist. Subsequent versions of events are filled with half truths and plain lies.

There has been an outcry not just from Ohio, but from the country and the world. All of the experts that I have seen quoted said what was done to Hope Steffey was a deviation (an apt term) from the norm and they would not recommend it. What makes Stark County so different from most of the civilized world that it needs to treat its prisoners in such a detestable manner?

In response to your other question: Any ideas? Anyone? Right now I've got "nuthin". Will give it some thought though. I think we have to admit that most people have moved on to the next big story and the one after that. Normally, that would be me, but for some reason (which I can't explain), I want so much for this particular wrong to be righted that I'm staying to the (hopefully, not bitter) end. It's hard to keep people engaged in something if it has not reached them on that kind of emotional level.

sandyfromoh

10-21-2008, 07:36 PM

[HTML]

Normally, that would be me, but for some reason (which I can't explain), I want so much for this particular wrong to be righted that I'm staying to the (hopefully, not bitter) end. It's hard to keep people engaged in something if it has not reached them on that kind of emotional level.

I'm with you Terry, normally I also would say that's enough for me, but like you, I'm staying to the end, and praying it will be an end that will settle everything. John, you are my HERO!

John7878

10-21-2008, 10:00 PM

I'm with you Terry, normally I also would say that's enough for me, but like you, I'm staying to the end, and praying it will be an end that will settle everything. John, you are my HERO!

Well got a reply from my letter already.

In Stark County tradition, they never answer a single question, they change the subject and then try to turn the blame on me....anyway here it is:

I have explained to you the results of the BCI investigation and the presentation of the evidence obtained to the Stark County Grand Jury. This matter, as a criminal investigation, is closed. We presented the findings of the investigator as well as the testimony of Ms Steffy to the grand jury. They were able to ask question and judge the credibility of the witnesses in making their determination. I can not go into what was presented to the grand jury because under Ohio law those hearings are to be kept secret. While you may disagree with the results of this investigation you must understand that not every action rises to the level of criminal culpability. There are remedies available to Ms Steffy through civil litigation and it is my understanding that the case is set for trial. It is there that a jury will decide if the deputies are liable for any civil wrongdoing. The Grand Jury of Stark County made a determination that there was no criminal wrongdoing.

I will not address the fact specific questions other than to state that the deputies involved were executing a medical order given by the treating psychologist based upon all the information available at the time. To divulge more would require me to divulge testimony presented to the Grand Jury which I can not or will not do.

In the future please direct all communications to me. I do not appreciate the tone of your message which implies that one of the attorneys in my section would turn a blind eye to criminal acts. That is not and has never been the case. This matter was investigated thoroughly and professionally by BCI. That evidence was reviewed by myself and Attorney Carty and was presented to the Grand Jury. If you have additional concerns or questions please feel free to direct them to me and I will answer any questions you may have but I will not tolerate your actions toward an attorney on my staff.

Paul Scarsella
Section Chief
Special Prosecutions.
================================================
Looks like a dead end here, wish I could have found out who was actually in charge of the investigation.
I'm not sure it was actually him.(Paul)

Well I need a good reply for this one....but will it be worth the effort!??!?!

John7878

10-22-2008, 07:02 AM

[HTML] Sent it this morning, so now I'll be camping out at my mailbox with a blanket and a thermos waiting for Ms. Carty's point-by-point response.

HA! Yeah, let me know how that works out for ya!!!

In response to your other question: I think we have to admit that most people have moved on to the next big story and the one after that. Normally, that would be me, but for some reason (which I can't explain), I want so much for this particular wrong to be righted that I'm staying to the (hopefully, not bitter) end. It's hard to keep people engaged in something if it has not reached them on that kind of emotional level.

Yeah the main stream probably has moved on already. I just can't seem to get past it though.

And since searching the net and finding other abuses that make this look like a cake walk.

Like the case of Jamie Leigh Jones:

http://abcnews.go.com/Blotter/Story?id=3977702&page=1

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U2WyitSWa0Y

Terry99

10-22-2008, 12:16 PM

Well I need a good reply for this one....but will it be worth the effort!??!?!

I guess I would answer that with what I previously said:...as far as the Grand Jury decision, that won't change no matter what we do.

One reason I wrote anyway is because I think it's always a good idea to let those in positions of authority know that people are watching and taking note of what they do so that they don't become a law unto themselves. I'm pretty sure you've gotten that message across.

John7878

10-23-2008, 06:47 AM

Another article about the sheriff's race:

http://cantonrep.com/index.php?ID=436924

AND MY COMMENT:

People would actually vote for Swanson again?!?!?

This guy is getting taxpayers sued for holding a woman over a home schooling issue, after she TURNED HERSELF IN, and then was held for THREE days, after being stripped naked. When she should have been released immediately on her own recognizance.

Your never going to have enough staff, if you hold every person for every petty 'alleged' crime.

Then we have Hope Steffy arrested for disorderly conduct & resisting arrest.
The sheriff has a deputy that never turns on his taxpayer supplied video camera, until witnesses yell to get one of their own because "he's beating her".

Then at the jail he has staff setup to strip people in a way that he has to KNOW is against federal law. There are MANY MANY cases that point out this "policy" of his is illegal.

I agree with Elizabeth Rodgers, the sheriff should at least be open & honest, even though there has been an 'incident' at the jail.
If you really think this sheriff operates out in the open & honestly, and doesn't try to hide anything, try calling and tell them you want to talk about the Hope Steffy case.
THEN come back here and tell us what a great guy he is, and your still going to vote for him.

John7878

10-23-2008, 11:03 AM

[HTML]
One reason I wrote anyway is because I think it's always a good idea to let those in positions of authority know that people are watching and taking note of what they do so that they don't become a law unto themselves. I'm pretty sure you've gotten that message across.

Well heres my reply to his letter, I tried to make it short & sweet:

Mr Scarsella,

First of all let me say I don't appreciate your tone either. Saying "I will not tolerate your actions toward an attorney on my staff."

Is this some kind of threat?

My only "actions" in this case have been to ask questions. Questions you apparently are not prepared to answer, after your thorough investigation, even when they do not involve evidence presented to the grand jury.
As a matter of fact, one of the first questions I asked was if any of this in the paper were even true, trying to give your people the benefit of the doubt, but I can see my effort was wasted. I didn't even get an answer to that. And instead in Stark County's finest tradition, questions were avoided, subjects were changed, threats were made, and then you try to turn any blame on the other person.

I won't waste any more of my time or yours trying to ask any questions, as you say, for you this case is closed. I'll try other venues for answers.

========================================

BTW if I get a call from Steffy's lawyers, I may be in Ohio sometime.
They seemed interested in some of my info.......:D

Terry99

10-23-2008, 01:18 PM

John, I liked your short and sweet response very much. It was to the point, controlled...great job. Thrilled to hear that you may be meeting with Hope's attorneys. You must have felt that all your efforts were in vain, but now they can be put to good use.

I don't have any exciting news like yours. Right now I'm just nitpicking and trying to be annoying. Sent this e-mail to Sheriff Swanson:

From your website:

Stark County Sheriff Timothy A. Swanson reports that there were 11,767 inmates processed and booked into the Stark County jail in 2007.

In 2007 the mental health staff conducted 5,296 mental health assessments due to information received during the medical assessment at the time of incarceration. In 2007 there were 473 incidents where inmates were placed on suicide precautions. Of these instances 135 involved female inmates.

In order to accurately interpret some of these statistics, one would need to know the number of females processed and booked in 2007. Also, of that total number, how many were subject to mental health assessments. Please provide me with that information or let me know who I can contact in order to obtain it. Thank you.

Far more males go to prison than females so stating it as a number doesn't mean anything. You would need to know the percentage of female prisoners put on precautions vs. the percentage of males to draw any conclusions. Don't know what I'll do with this info if I get it. I just want them to know that I know it's a useless statistic. They're always trying to mislead the public.

sandyfromoh

10-24-2008, 01:49 PM

Well heres my reply to his letter, I tried to make it short & sweet:

Mr Scarsella,

First of all let me say I don't appreciate your tone either. Saying "I will not tolerate your actions toward an attorney on my staff."

Is this some kind of threat?

My only "actions" in this case have been to ask questions. Questions you apparently are not prepared to answer, after your thorough investigation, even when they do not involve evidence presented to the grand jury.
As a matter of fact, one of the first questions I asked was if any of this in the paper were even true, trying to give your people the benefit of the doubt, but I can see my effort was wasted. I didn't even get an answer to that. And instead in Stark County's finest tradition, questions were avoided, subjects were changed, threats were made, and then you try to turn any blame on the other person.

I won't waste any more of my time or yours trying to ask any questions, as you say, for you this case is closed. I'll try other venues for answers.

========================================

BTW if I get a call from Steffy's lawyers, I may be in Ohio sometime.
They seemed interested in some of my info.......:D

Loved the letter to Scarsella, I wouldn't have been as kind as you, (that's why I don't write them). I really hope you meet with Steffy's lawyers, they will have a field day of information from all your efforts. You sure are my hero John, Hope has to know she has a guardian angel in you!!!

John7878

10-24-2008, 09:41 PM

John, I liked your short and sweet response very much. It was to the point, controlled...great job.

It was hard to control, let me tell ya!

Thrilled to hear that you may be meeting with Hope's attorneys. You must have felt that all your efforts were in vain, but now they can be put to good use.

I don't expect to. Maybe a call, just to confirm what I have to say, but I doubt very much I'd be asked to come there. Like I said this will NEVER see the inside of a court room. I just don't think the authorities can afford that.
I also think thats why they went to the trouble to "enhance" that 'video' tape of Steffy saying she was suicidal. The "now or ever" answer wasn't looking too good for the authorities. So I think they took a few seconds out of this video, out of context. And I think they KNEW she was being sarcastic with them, but they needed something to keep a settlement down. Because the "now or ever" answer was brought up at Steffy's trial, and it was NEVER denied then, and no mention was made of this tape.
After the elections they will be throwing some numbers at them.
It will be settled just like the three teens settlement, quietly, quickly, and forgotten.

So I feel like I can help them jack the numbers up some, but still can not undo the injustice done to Steffy.

I don't have any exciting news like yours. Right now I'm just nitpicking and trying to be annoying.

I have tried that for months, and I think sometimes I have succeeded. I know they DON'T like to talk to someone that KNOWS anything about this case.

What I'd like to do is come up with a way for these people to pay for their crimes, lies & abuses.

I haven't put this on a public board before, but I did call the FBI, after I talked to Jim Gravelle, the Ohio Press Secretary.
I told him I thought this violated federal laws and he replied that it was up to the feds to determine that. So I took him at his word and called them.
The guy that I talked to was VERY helpful and put me onto different ways to find information.
Maybe I need to call them back. (?)

Sent this e-mail to Sheriff Swanson:

In 2007 there were 473 incidents where inmates were placed on suicide precautions. Of these instances 135 involved female inmates.

Far more males go to prison than females so stating it as a number doesn't mean anything. You would need to know the percentage of female prisoners put on precautions vs. the percentage of males to draw any conclusions. Don't know what I'll do with this info if I get it. I just want them to know that I know it's a useless statistic. They're always trying to mislead the public.

REALLY?!?!?! LoL

I wish I had taped all my calls to these different people, so you & everyone else, could see for themselves why I don't trust these people at ALL!
The BS these people were trying to peddle was incredible, but I have to say if the person didn't know anything about the case, that they would have probably believed the excuses, fabrications and outright lies.

And when you do read about this case, you have to know enough so that they can't 'slant' the article without you knowing.
Plus once you know enough about this you can read both conflicting sides to the story, then clearly see what the truth is. And you can call and talk to people, and not have them BS you to death.

Of course then they just hang up on you!! LoL
:flamemad:

BTW Heres a lil extra something, a list of suits involving the sheriff:

http://dockets.justia.com/search?query=Timothy+A.+Swanson&search=Search&stateorcourt=court-ohndce&lawsuittype=&documentfilter=allcases&cases=mostrecent&min-day=1&min-month=1&min-year=2004&max-day=11&max-month=10&max-year=2008

John7878

10-25-2008, 10:14 AM

Loved the letter to Scarsella, I wouldn't have been as kind as you, (that's why I don't write them). I really hope you meet with Steffy's lawyers, they will have a field day of information from all your efforts. You sure are my hero John, Hope has to know she has a guardian angel in you!!!

It was hard not to rant again, but if they can look at all the evidence, conflicting testimony, "missing" video, Steffy's injuries and the poor excuses provided by the sheriff's dept.....well theres no use going over it again.

I'd love to see this go to trial too, but it not gonna happen.

And his statement "not every action rises to the level of criminal culpability".
I see what he's getting at.
In other words the cops stripping Steffy, leaving her naked, and then laughing about it, may be despicable, but they don't classify it as 'criminal'.

And if they had done this to punish her, it would have been illegal, but as long as they have a "phoned in" excuse, from their resident quack, it isn't criminal.

And the things they did that may have been able to be classed as criminal, are subject to opinions.
Such as twisting her arms enough to make her scream.
Leaving her naked.

Swinging the camera away, can be covered by any poor excuse they can think of.

And then they can come in and declare that they did a COMPLETE investigation, even though thats a LIE, its probably not criminal either, as its subject to opinion too.

The only problem with HIS version of things is that he was SUPPOSED to investigate this case, according to the paper. And instead they left MAJOR questions unanswered, that could have been resolved.

Well better go before I bust a blood vessel. :flamemad:

Terry99

10-25-2008, 12:23 PM

The guy that I talked to was VERY helpful and put me onto different ways to find information.
Maybe I need to call them back. (?)

Sounds intriguing. You're very good at research and will probably come up with interesting info. But, just remember, it's the Feds so try not to wind up in Guantanamo. Then Sandy and I will have to start a "Free John7878" thread.

I never did get an answer to my question about the number of females processed by the jail in 2007, but found this statistic: Average Daily Population of Stark County Jail in 2007 - Males 385 (86%); Females 64 (14%). Though this isn't the statistic I need to prove my suspicion that the percentage of women put on precautions is higher than men (though all studies show young males are most likely to commit suicide), it certainly points in that direction.

What's bothering me now is the fact that Hope was arrested for "saying something" while the person who attacked her (I think you said there were witnesses) was let go because it was better for Gurlea's story if Hope was the instigator and could not be portrayed in any way as a victim. (I believe the sound I just heard was my blood vessel bursting.)

sandyfromoh

10-25-2008, 12:31 PM

[QUOTE=Terry99;

Then Sandy and I will have to start a "Free John7878" thread.

Terry, thanks for giving me something to actually smile about!!!:punch:

John7878

10-25-2008, 06:43 PM

Sounds intriguing. You're very good at research and will probably come up with interesting info.

Actually I'm not, which is why the FBI was helpful. Plus I've looked at this case since the end of February, a LONG time!
By contacting people by phone I have found out some interesting stuff. I think I may have even changed the way they were handling some things. Like the three teens that were stripped. I talked to Stark County Prosecutor, John Ferrero. I told him there was NO WAY they were going to be able to defend themselves in this case by saying it was 'protocol'. I think after talking with me he finally came to realize it was true. Which is why they kept it out of court and it was sent to an arbitrator to settle.
What I don't see is HOW they can settle with the video missing from this case. If the thing was swiped by a pedophile and shows up on the net, $100, 000 isn't going to be enough for damages, at least not for MY daughter! (Although rumor is that a judge has it.) (?)

I never did get an answer to my question about the number of females processed by the jail in 2007, but found this statistic: Average Daily Population of Stark County Jail in 2007 - Males 385 (86%); Females 64 (14%). Though this isn't the statistic I need to prove my suspicion that the percentage of women put on precautions is higher than men (though all studies show young males are most likely to commit suicide), it certainly points in that direction.

You expected an answer!?!??! Come on now....this is Stark County! Heck I bet you can't call and actually talk to the sheriff. I have called MANY times, and NEVER caught him there...HMmmmmmm.

I have left my name & number at LEAST 3 times, with assurances that he would get back to me....(this was back in March & April). No call so far....LoL.

What's bothering me now is the fact that Hope was arrested for "saying something" while the person who attacked her (I think you said there were witnesses) was let go because it was better for Gurlea's story if Hope was the instigator and could not be portrayed in any way as a victim. (I believe the sound I just heard was my blood vessel bursting.)

There were no witnesses when the fight started, everyone came out after the fight had started, and then ended when Steffy was knocked unconscious. Her niece then left.

Her story was that Steffy had started the fight, but she never came up with a logical reason WHY she would do that.
Steffy on the other hand said that the niece wanted to drive her car, and she didn't want her to.
The niece then said she honked the horn and threw out the keys, but no one ever heard the horn, according to testimony.

The reason Steffy said she was so mad was that the niece had attacked her for nothing, just because she didn't let her drive.

I tended to believe Steffy mostly on this, but I'm sure there was more to it than what they BOTH let on.

I guess her niece was 6 months pregnant when this happened, before that she was a stripper.

Maybe the cops took the wrong one......:confused:

Terry99

10-25-2008, 07:15 PM

I tended to believe Steffy mostly on this, but I'm sure there was more to it than what they BOTH let on.

Did only Steffey have injuries or did the niece have them as well? I may not be on solid ground with this one, but I thought they both had a right to press charges if they had conflicting stories. Without witnesses, I didn't think an officer could just decide who was telling the truth right on the spot.

John7878

10-26-2008, 08:08 PM

Did only Steffey have injuries or did the niece have them as well? I may not be on solid ground with this one, but I thought they both had a right to press charges if they had conflicting stories. Without witnesses, I didn't think an officer could just decide who was telling the truth right on the spot.

They both had hair missing....and they BOTH claimed that they didn't know exactly what had happened to explain the loss of hair.

But witnesses said that they were both in a fight when they came out.

The arresting officer also claimed he could not confirm that Steffy had been knocked unconscious. And at the trial was the first he had heard of it.
Because of the way he worded this and a answer in testimony, I believe this was a lie.
I believe he WAS told she had been knocked out, he was just playing word games by saying he couldn't "confirm" it.

John7878

10-31-2008, 09:31 PM

sandyfromoh

10-31-2008, 09:42 PM

Well almost into another new month.....and I expect after the 4th to see the Steffy case smothered before it gets to court sometime, (that isn't even set), in December. Which is probably why theres not even a specific date set yet. They already know its never going to happen.

I hate the fact they are going to get this to quietly 'disappear' and no one is going to answer for it, besides the wallets of the taxpayers.

Grrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr :flamemad:

John, you have done more than anyone, including Hope, it's like running into a BRICK WALL, maybe after the election and Swanson isn't Sheriff, things will get better!! (I guess I'm hoping for a miracle). If the "taxpayers" decide to elect Swanson, they will get what they deserve. I heard he is planning to retire if he's re-elected, and than start the new term in January while he will be receiving his pension. Like I said, if he's re-elected, I don't feel sorry for the taxpayers of Stark County. JMOhammer

John7878

10-31-2008, 09:50 PM

John, you have done more than anyone, including Hope, it's like running into a BRICK WALL, maybe after the election and Swanson isn't Sheriff, things will get better!! (I guess I'm hoping for a miracle). If the "taxpayers" decide to elect Swanson, they will get what they deserve. I heard he is planning to retire if he's re-elected, and than start the new term in January while he will be receiving his pension. Like I said, if he's re-elected, I don't feel sorry for the taxpayers of Stark County. JMOhammer

I just wish I could think of something that would bring this back into the limelight.

If it got enough exposure it might prompt some more REAL investigation, but everyone in the 'system' can see whats going to happen, so they are content to sit back and watch the horse & pony show.

I just can't think of a way to get this into a court room.
:shrug:

sandyfromoh

10-31-2008, 10:14 PM

I just wish I could think of something that would bring this back into the limelight.

If it got enough exposure it might prompt some more REAL investigation, but everyone in the 'system' can see whats going to happen, so they are content to sit back and watch the horse & pony show.

I just can't think of a way to get this into a court room.
:shrug:

I have sent emails to Romana Robinson and Tom Myer at WKYC.com, they are the Cleveland station that broke the story and had an exclusive. I did get replys from Romana Robinson, the anchor, but never anything from Tom Myer (the so called INVESTIGATIVE reporter), Maybe if you send an email to them or the station Manager, you might get something going, you are so much better than me in stating your feelings. Anyway, that's the only suggestion I have, just might do the trick.

Terry99

11-01-2008, 01:35 PM

I've been off on what I guess is another fool's errand. Something John said had me wondering about what is taken into consideration when the suicide prevention policies are written. The people who write them should know something about mental health issues, so how can they justify subjecting someone who is already in a fragile state to trauma which can have long-lasting emotional and psychological effects? As in the Steffey case, this was done just for the alleged purpose of keeping her safe for a few hours. Anyway, I e-mailed the Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Corrections twice before I got a re-statement of their policies and no answers to any of the questions I asked. (This is from the "Public Information" office.) Wrote again and heard nothing so I called and was told the issue was forwarded to a supervisor. I'm still waiting but I have his name and telephone number and will follow up and let you know if anything comes of it.

Right now, the suspense is killing me. I think I care more about the outcome of the Stark County sheriff's race than I do the presidential election.

John7878

11-02-2008, 08:06 AM

The people who write them should know something about mental health issues, so how can they justify subjecting someone who is already in a fragile state to trauma which can have long-lasting emotional and psychological effects? I have his name and telephone number and will follow up and let you know if anything comes of it.

I have been wanting to contact these people also and find out WHO & HOW they came up with the new rules.

The LAST option of stripping someone is AGAIN the first & ONLY option in the new rules. BS!
And then in the new rules it states that a doc can diagnose & prescribe treatment over the phone!! So they are making malpractice legal??
I mean if THEIR doc can do it, that means ANY doc can do the same thing....that looks like a can of worms.

So who did they end up steering you to?

I think I care more about the outcome of the Stark County sheriff's race than I do the presidential election.

I know I do. As for the presidential race all I can say is "WOW", one of the "Keating Five" from the old savings & loan scandal actually making a run for President!!!

I don't even have a clue as to how anyone like that could make it through the primary, let alone think they had a chance in the election itself, but I guess if voters in DC can re-elect a crack head mayor and voters re-elect the Katrina mob back in, and Louisiana voters can re-elect a Rep with $90,000 of marked FBI money in his freezer.....well I guess ANYTHING is possible.

I just have to ask though.........HOW is this possible!?!?!? Do voters EVER look at who they are voting for? Or do they just like putting corrupt politicians back in office?!?!?!

I have to admit, putting a guy responsible for BILLIONS paid to bailout saving & loans, back into office while the largest bailout in history is going on.....OMG, I don't care who ya are, now THATS funny!!!

BTW I am not a Obama supporter either. This boob is one of the few 'select' leaders called in by Bush on this 'bailout' plan of his.
I have to ask, is THIS the way our government is supposed to work? A FEW elected officials making decisions!?!?! Almost like a dictatorship.
We have many sharp people elected into office, but if they aren't given a chance for any input, us taxpayers are the ones that suffer.

And then Bush stampedes him and others into this mess. This is supposed to be a LEADER???? HA!

BTW all the reps that say it was vote for this or nothing are liars.
Marcy Kaptur and some others had a alternate plan, and I think, a better plan.
She's from your state of Ohio also.
Now this is what I call leadership. These are the kinds of people that we should be re-electing.

http://www.kaptur.house.gov/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=309&Itemid=1

sandyfromoh

11-02-2008, 03:34 PM

Just curious: is whoever is running against Swanson making anystatements about this case? I would be promising to deal with it if I were him/her. Wouldn't you?

I don't live in the Canton area (stark county), so haven't a clue if the guy who is running against Swanson is making any statements, Yes I agree with you, I would!

Terry99

11-02-2008, 04:18 PM

So who did they end up steering you to?

Dr. Robert Hammond, (614)728-1932. I don't know what his title is.

Two of the questions I asked regarding the revised policy are:

Does this new policy in any way prohibit members of the opposite sex from participating in the forcible removal of a prisoner's clothing, or is that decision still left to the discretion of each locality?

The policy states that a suicide security garment is to be provided to prevent humiliation and degradation. Does this mean in all cases, or may each locality set forth situations in which the prisoner will be denied any covering whatsoever? For example, by the order of a psychologist or other medical consultant.

The social worker I spoke to (who is supposed to be knowledgeable about the policy) said she didn't have the answers to these questions and that's why she passed them along to her supervisor. It may not be as straightforward as we would like to think. Christy Palmer of BCI said unequivocally that what was done to Hope Steffey was not a strip search. In regulations there always seem to be loopholes or technicalities that can be taken advantage of if needed. That's why I want a definitive statement from the Department.

Terry99

11-02-2008, 04:43 PM

The Hope Steffey case is one of the issues Swanson's opponent is campaigning on. Here's one page from his blog where he has links to the WKYC videos:

Incident at Stark County Jail
These videos are disturbing but they need to be seen, click on each link to view. Is this treatment appropriate? You be the judge. Vote DORDEA FOR SHERIFF and change the way people are treated!

Hope Steffey Video 1

Hope Steffey Video 2

Hope Steffey Video 3

Valentina Dyshko

Elizabeth

The only way to ensure a change in jail policy is to replace the current Sheriff, but to do so, will require a lot of work, resources and your help. If you agree a change is necessary, you can help by contributing to my campaign, any amount from $10.00 -$10, 000.00.

Click here to make a difference

The Citizens for Dordea Committee would like to extend a thank you to WKYC Channel 3 and investigative reporter Tom Meyer for their reporting on the controversy at the Stark County Jail. It is very important that the residents of Stark County are made aware of these kind of issues.

His website is Dordeaforsheriff.com.

John7878

11-03-2008, 01:56 PM

Dr. Robert Hammond, (614)728-1932. I don't know what his title is.

Two of the questions I asked regarding the revised policy are:

Does this new policy in any way prohibit members of the opposite sex from participating in the forcible removal of a prisoner's clothing, or is that decision still left to the discretion of each locality?

The policy states that a suicide security garment is to be provided to prevent humiliation and degradation. Does this mean in all cases, or may each locality set forth situations in which the prisoner will be denied any covering whatsoever? For example, by the order of a psychologist or other medical consultant.

The social worker I spoke to (who is supposed to be knowledgeable about the policy) said she didn't have the answers to these questions and that's why she passed them along to her supervisor. It may not be as straightforward as we would like to think. Christy Palmer of BCI said unequivocally that what was done to Hope Steffey was not a strip search. In regulations there always seem to be loopholes or technicalities that can be taken advantage of if needed. That's why I want a definitive statement from the Department.

Yeah they always claim it was not a strip search, but HOW can they know for sure WHAT it was, when the camera is off of the prisoner??

The cops must have some explanation for this and I'm sure Steffy has a story there too. But after dealing with the authorities on this case, I'm inclined to believe Steffy. (At least on this detail.)

So anyway, I contacted these people:

Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Correction Bureau of Adult Detention
Phone 614-752-1063
E-Mail DRCAdult.Detention@odrc.state.oh.us

I started asking about their NEW suicide precaution rules. Right away the guy says that there is no use going over these, because they are in the process of changing them............AGAIN.

The only problem being is that he says it will take a YEAR to get them changed!!!

They must be getting some heat over this yet huh? hammer

John7878

11-05-2008, 06:27 AM

Unbelievable!!!!!!!!

http://www.cantonrep.com/index.php?external=elections/results2.php&leaderboard=no

Terry99

11-05-2008, 10:21 AM

http://www.co.stark.oh.us/internet/docs/boe/gen08.htm

Here's another link which shows the percentages for each candidate and the percentage of votes tallied so far (49.5%). Apparently, there are a lot of absentee ballots and paper ballots yet to be counted.

I don't think I can find the words to express how I'm feeling right now.

Terry99

11-05-2008, 10:43 AM

Still had'nt received a response to my e-mail to the ODRC so I called Dr. Hammond. He said someone is researching the issues I raised so that I can be provided with a more complete answer to my questions. We'll see.

sandyfromoh

11-05-2008, 12:33 PM

Unbelievable!!!!!!!!

http://www.cantonrep.com/index.php?external=elections/results2.php&leaderboard=no

What in the world is wrong with this picture?????? I can't believe what has happened! Dennis Kucinich also won his seat again, guess if you have a D, you can do whatever you want and you will be re-elected.
John, did you ever try to get ahold of WKYC?

John7878

11-06-2008, 05:48 AM

I don't even have a clue as to how anyone like that could make it through the primary, let alone think they had a chance in the election itself, but I guess if voters in DC can re-elect a crack head mayor and voters re-elect the Katrina mob back in, and Louisiana voters can re-elect a Rep with $90,000 of marked FBI money in his freezer.....well I guess ANYTHING is possible.

I guess Stark County joins the ranks of the rest of these elections.

I guess ANYTHING is possible...........

Well I can only hope that the lawsuits stick these taxpayers/voters so bad that they wake up.
Although I don't see how they could have 'slept through' all the corruption in this term.

John7878

11-06-2008, 06:03 AM

I can't believe what has happened!

John, did you ever try to get ahold of WKYC?

I really can't believe it either. The only support Swanson had was the one paper, no one else supported him, not even the local unions!

Of course we had the same things happen here. A state senator had some slick brochures and some ads saying how he was going to stop the governor's spending.

Everything the people wanted to hear....unfortunately, if you looked at his voting record, you would have found that he passed on a $16 BILLION dollar raise for state pensions.
Voters are either too lazy or stupid to actually LOOK at what their Rep's are doing, I guess.

No, never got a hold of WKYC.
I had been busy around the house and now this election has pretty much taken the wind out of my sails.
I can see now that NO amount of publicity would change the minds of these sheep.

I can hardly wait till its their turn at slaughter.

I only wish I could be on the jury giving Steffy the award.
I'd come up with a number SURE to wake up the flock!! LoL

sandyfromoh

11-08-2008, 10:11 AM

Thought I'd let you all know that WKYC in Cleveland is having something on the Sheriff and Hope Steffy, Monday Night 11/10, at 11:00pm I'm sure it will be on the website (wkyc.com) after it airs.

Terry99

11-08-2008, 01:12 PM

sandyfromoh

11-08-2008, 01:34 PM

Thanks for the information, Sandy. Hope you're doing well after what has been a very disappointing week for all of us.

Thanks for asking Terry, I'm not doing well at all, I do not understand people anymore, I'm very discouraged, and feel the MEDIA is to blame for most of what is happening to this country. Don't know if Hope will get justice for what was done to her in this life, but I do believe she WILL and so will those that did this, in the next life. God bless you Terry and John, for all you've done, you both are my hero's, only wish we had more Terry's and John's in this country.

John7878

11-08-2008, 01:48 PM

Thought I'd let you all know that WKYC in Cleveland is having something on the Sheriff and Hope Steffy, Monday Night 11/10, at 11:00pm I'm sure it will be on the website (wkyc.com) after it airs.

Thanks for the information, Sandy. Hope you're doing well after what has been a very disappointing week for all of us.

Yes Sandy thanks much for the info.

And disappointing hardly covers it Terry! LoL

Cripes, Senator Ted Stevens of Alaska was re-elected even after felony convictions just before the election!!

Makes me wonder if he'll be able to vote in the senate from a jail cell or what!?!?!? :shrug:

What the HECK is wrong with voters!?!?!?!? hammer

Terry99

11-09-2008, 12:48 AM

John7878

11-09-2008, 12:48 PM

sandyfromoh

11-09-2008, 04:32 PM

I wrote to Tom Meyer of WKYC, asking some questions, but primarily begging him not to cave in to Swanson in the interview. (If it has already been taped, it will have been a pointless exercise.) The Canton Rep criticized WKYC for its reporting and I'm afraid the station might be contrite. Things just seem to go from bad to worse.

Terry, hope you get an answer from Tom Meyer, I've sent him 2 different emails and never heard back from him, plus Romana Robinson sent him one that I sent to her. At least Romana had the decency to answer me, can't say that for Tom Meyer. Should be interesting on Monday night, one way or the other, unfortunately, I'm starting to think it will be the other. I don't know what force is alive in this country, but I'm hoping people will wake up before the country is completly gone, and it's not too late. As I've said before, you, Terry and you, John, have gone well beyond what most people have done, and even though I wrote letters in the beginning, I haven't done anything compared to the 2 of you. I pray it won't be in vain!

Terry99

11-10-2008, 11:22 AM

This is the e-mail I sent to Tom Meyer:

I understand that you will be interviewing Swanson re the Hope Steffey incident. It is my fervent hope that you will not be affected by his reelection or the fact that you were criticized in the Canton Rep for your reports. There are many of us still outraged by the abhorrent policy that allowed this to occur, and grateful to you for bringing it to light.

I have a few questions based on the Canton Rep article and the paper's subsequent endorsement of Swanson, i.e.:

*He claimed that he could not speak about this publicly because of the lawsuit (he had his minions do it for him). Steffey's attorneys are under a gag order. Unless the case has been settled, how is he able to do this interview?

* While I believe that both you and Steffey's lawyers had difficulty getting relevant documents, the Canton Rep seems to have been spoon fed information. Among its sources it lists "summaries of State investigator's interviews with jail staff" and "State investigator's report". Would these documents be available under the Freedom of Information Act? If not, how did the paper come into possession of them?

* Every expert I have seen quoted would not endorse the policy of having members of the opposite sex present when a prisoner's clothing is being removed. Here's an excerpt from the Canton Rep article: "Some CERT members, although none of those involved in this incident, are trained at the National Corrections and Law Enforcement Training and Technology Center in Moundsville, W.Va. Steve Morrison, the Center's vice president, said proper suicide precautions start with a written policy. Removing the clothing of an inmate who is suicidal is an option, but Morrison said he would want strong evidence that the inmate intended to harm herself before leaving her in a cell naked, and he would neverallow members of the opposite sex to remove her clothing because it is a privacy issue." Two questions that come to mind are what is ambiguous about the word "never" and what makes Stark County so different that it needs to deviate from the norm? Most of all I would like to know if the policy has been changed since this went public?

Lastly, I would like to point out that there is scant evidence that Hope Steffey was combative. There is even less evidence to support that she was given an opportunity to voluntarily comply. There is no documentation; staff said they could not remember who asked her, and her reaction on the tape makes it clear she had no idea what was about to be done to her or why. Yet, Swanson keeps claiming she refused.

Despite all the setbacks, many of us are still trying to get the policy changed. I hope that this interview does not undermine our efforts.

Here is his response:

There is no gag order, although it’s my understanding the judge has asked both sides not to talk to the news media.

The newspaper received the public information much faster than I did.

I could care less what the paper thinks of me or my stories.

My report airs tonight.

Tom

sandyfromoh

11-10-2008, 06:45 PM

Terry99

11-11-2008, 12:32 AM

After Swanson's comments in the Tom Meyer interview, I was so angry I sent this e-mail to the editor of the Canton Rep:

In your endorsement of Swanson you said he couldn't talk about the Steffey case because of the pending lawsuit. Now that he's been reelected, he's on WKYC doing just that. Either he suckered you or you're all a bunch of liars.

By the way, in your wisdom you decided that what was done to Hope Steffey was not only necessary but desirable. This appeared in your own article: "Some CERT members, although none of those involved in this incident, are trained at the National Corrections and Law Enforcement Training and Technology Center in Moundsville, W.Va. Steve Morrison, the Center's vice president, said proper suicide precautions start with a written policy. Removing the clothing of an inmate who is suicidal is an option, but Morrison said he would want strong evidence that the inmate intended to harm herself before leaving her in a cell naked, and he would never allow members of the opposite sex to remove her clothing because it is a privacy issue."

This is from the WKYC report: "Dr. Deborah Koricke, a psychologist who provides mental health services to a jail in another Ohio county, saw videotape of the Stark County deputies stripping Steffey of all her clothes. She said, If she wasn't suicidal before, is she going to be after she goes through something like this or is she going to want to self-harm?"

Also from WKYC: When asked why it was necessary to use both men and women, Swanson said, "I don't have the luxury of having an all male or all female CERT team."

So the policy continues even though it has been discredited by all the experts. How is Stark County so different that it needs to treat its prisoners in such a despicable manner while other counties manage to have humane policies?

I work in a hospital where we are highly regulated and constantly monitored. I can't imagine writing a policy that says if we don't have enough staff we'll just have to traumatize, degrade and humiliate the patient and possibly cause long-term emotional and psychological damage. I guess Ohio jails don't have that kind of oversight nor does the Sheriff have any innate sense of decency. Come to think of it, neither do you.

The trial has been set for May...I'm not sure I can last that long.

Terry99

11-11-2008, 10:12 AM

jeff.gauger@cantonrep.com
Here's the non-response from the executive editor of the Canton Rep.
We said the sheriff said he couldn’t talk because of the pending lawsuit, and we criticized him for that. We said he should have said more sooner. As your note indicates you’re more interested in expressing anger than in discussing the underlying issues civilly, I’ll leave the rest of your e-mail without a response.

Good day,
Jeff

Here's my reply:
What is there to discuss? You did whatever it took to get Swanson reelected'; you supported all of his actions other than not speaking sooner. But now he is - so was it the lawsuit or the election that kept him silent? One of his claims was that people who deal with mental health issues and who are in law enforcement agree with him; it's only laymen who have a problem with what he did. Absolutely untrue. You talk about Dordea's arrogance. Maybe you should look at yourself in the mirror. What was done to Hope Steffey was supposedly to protect her yet what you and the Sheriff display is contempt for her. She's emotionally fragile so the response is to have her clothes forcibly removed in the most humiliating way and then throw her in a cell naked for six hours - not even a paper covering allowed. Does that make sense? When you used your power to pile on Hope Steffey, were you being civil? In speaking of the incident, you and the Sheriff sound more like people saying she had it coming because of her behavior and if there was punishment involved in her treatment, so what. The real reason you're not answering specific points is because you can't. You may have been on the winning side of this, but you are not on the right side. By the way, in your endorsement you repeatedly impugned Dordea's character and all but called him a liar. Were you being civil then? Apparently, you believe only you can pass judgment on people.

I forgot to end it with "Good Day Sir" so I could be haughty and dismissive like Jeff.

John7878

11-11-2008, 10:26 AM

I pray it won't be in vain!

Well from what I've seen from the elections, it don't look good. Even when people are given a chance to change the way the sheriff's dept is run they ignore the opportunity.

Even putting the Steffy case aside, or even the other FIVE women and 3 teen girls, this sheriff still seems to have problems working with the various townships. Enough in fact that he's turning away prisoners?!

Then having prisoners building his campaign booth at the fair!
His excuse? "All the other sheriff's have done it."

Well I guess THEY didn't know the difference either, between prisoners doing "community service" work, and doing work to benefit ONE person.

And theres also claims of his dept covering up a drugging & rape of a woman, by some oil company big shots.

And people want this guy back in!!?!? :flamemad::flamemad::flamemad:

Terry99

11-11-2008, 01:07 PM

sandyfromoh

11-11-2008, 07:24 PM

John, I can only imagine how you must be feeling after working so hard and so long on this. I've wanted to say something directly to you since the election, but was afraid it would be the wrong thing. It's like Sandy said, the media plays a big part in this. Most people are not as well informed as you are. And, if they rely only on the Canton Rep for their local news, they have been misinformed and manipulated. You also have to factor in those who vote based solely on self interest and people who are just not deep thinkers. Although you are paying a price for caring, you fought for what you believed was right and that's something to be proud of.

Terry, you made me think, that it would be a good idea to send a link to this thread to Hope Steffy's attorney, and have him send it to her after reading it himself. John do you know who he is? If I were Hope and read all you, John, and Terry have done, It surely would give me light on a very dark experience, and have faith that there are people out there that CARE! God Bless you both!

John7878

11-12-2008, 06:20 AM

Also from WKYC: When asked why it was necessary to use both men and women, Swanson said, "I don't have the luxury of having an all male or all female CERT team."

I call BS on this.

So what did the sheriff do in a strip search where the law said the officers HAD to be of the same sex??

Oh we have enough people for that, but not this!?!??!

So what is the sheriff doing NOW?

The law has been CHANGED, Swanson's team would now be ILLEGAL.

So has he changed the policy?

I couldn't find out, they hung up on me.

And people believe this crap??? :cuss:

John7878

11-12-2008, 06:53 AM

John, I can only imagine how you must be feeling after working so hard and so long on this. I've wanted to say something directly to you since the election, but was afraid it would be the wrong thing. It's like Sandy said, the media plays a big part in this. Most people are not as well informed as you are. And, if they rely only on the Canton Rep for their local news, they have been misinformed and manipulated. You also have to factor in those who vote based solely on self interest and people who are just not deep thinkers. Although you are paying a price for caring, you fought for what you believed was right and that's something to be proud of.

I don't know, maybe it is because I have looked into this more that I get upset with people.

But cripes, just the BS the sheriff says like he "doesn't have the luxury of having an all male or all female CERT team", ok so people can't figure out this has to be BS?? Or if not BS, then he has to be strip searching people illegally. It has to be one or the other....ya can't play this both ways.

I know the paper articles left out a lot of stuff and slanted the story against Steffy. I don't suppose a lot of the people read the comments section though where I pointed out all the "holes" in the story.

I should have written a response to the article I guess to reach more people.

Anyway thanks for the support.....:patriot:

John7878

11-12-2008, 07:00 AM

Terry, you made me think, that it would be a good idea to send a link to this thread to Hope Steffy's attorney, and have him send it to her after reading it himself. John do you know who he is? If I were Hope and read all you, John, and Terry have done, It surely would give me light on a very dark experience, and have faith that there are people out there that CARE! God Bless you both!

Thanks Sandy

I have been posting on the WKYC video site too.........

http://www.wkyc.com/news/local/story.aspx?storyid=100466&provider=top

Hope has a couple lawyers for this case.....

Dennis Niermann –Steffy’s lawyer
4070 Mayfield Rd
Cleveland, OH 44121
(216) 297-1040

David Malik - Steffy’s lawyer
8437 Mayfield Road Suite 103
P.O. Box 248
Chesterland, Ohio (OH) 44026
Telephone: (440) 729-8260 Fax: (440) 729-8262

sandyfromoh

11-16-2008, 09:58 PM

John, Been reading you over at the WKYC site, but miss you here!!
Terry, are you posting there also?
I miss my 2 hero's!!!:beer:

John7878

11-17-2008, 01:44 PM

John, Been reading you over at the WKYC site, but miss you here!!
Terry, are you posting there also?
I miss my 2 hero's!!!:beer:

This hero goofed....hammer

There was a question of Steffey's name, I went by what the court records & Sheriff's web page had on them.

Apparently they were both wrong....as was the different birth dates in the court records. Bummer!!

My last post:

Ok Riley, checked the name….apparently the court records, including the birthdate are wrong.

And the webpage the sheriff put up had the wrong name also.
http://www.sheriff.co.stark.oh.us/mr080117.htm

Which means…I was also wrong in the spelling…I trusted the sheriff & the courts to get it right. LoL

Terry99

11-17-2008, 08:14 PM

Missed you too, Sandy. I haven't been posting on the WKYC site; John doesn't need my help. Anyway, I wouldn't have the patience to respond to the ones who are just playing devil's advocate, and don't really care about the policy, what happened to Hope Steffey or the issues involved.

I'm still trying to find out what the current standards are for suicide prevention in jails. If it's only what's contained in the "Minimum Standards for Jails", that doesn't bode well. While those standards are very specific about things like laundry and illumination, they're virtually open-ended when it comes to suicide prevention. I plan to contact the Department of Rehabilitation and Correction further to ask why the requirements are so general.

(John, I sent you a private message about something Dr. Hammond of ODRC told me. I didn't want to post it because he admitted he wasn't that well informed in this area and I still haven't verified the information.)

sandyfromoh

11-17-2008, 09:55 PM

[QUOTE=Terry99;12433496]Missed you too, Sandy. I haven't been posting on the WKYC site; John doesn't need my help. Anyway, I wouldn't have the patience to respond to the ones who are just playing devil's advocate, and don't really care about the policy, what happened to Hope Steffey or the issues involved.

[QUOTE]

I don't post on the WKYC site either, it gets me too upset with the idiots (not our John) posting, that don't have a clue and just post to like you said, playing devil's advocate. I only know that nothing has upset me as much as this incident with Hope. I would be so mortified I would never leave the house again as long as I live. It pains me when I hear people defending those actions. I'll bet they would defend Hitler's actions also!hammer

Terry99

11-21-2008, 03:32 PM

Sandy, don't want you to think I've been slacking off. Have written several e-mails to the Sheriff, and have ongoing correspondence with the Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Correction. I intend to pursue the issue of whether the jail standards are adequate when it comes to suicide prevention. Next, I plan to tackle the Correctional Healthcare Group (which provided the psychologist). A lot of this is ground John has already covered and, like him, I get nowhere when I ask specific questions. However, I want them to know this issue has not been forgotten. Whenever possible, I try to leave the impression that there are hordes of angry people clamoring for the policy to be changed.

Anyway, it's a long way until the trial in May, so all I can do now is let my voice be heard.

sandyfromoh

11-21-2008, 03:57 PM

Terry, I know you arn't "slacking off", I've been down in the dumps over this for so long, I can't do anything about what happened, as testified by you and John both banging your heads against the wall, trying to fight the fight! There will be justice for Hope, I have to believe that or I'd go totally out of my mind! (I'm almost there)! I thank you for not giving up, as I've thanked John. Like I said before, you both are my hero's!!!:patriot:

Terry99

11-22-2008, 02:50 PM

I've been down in the dumps over this for so long, I can't do anything about what happened, as testified by you and John both banging your heads against the wall, trying to fight the fight! There will be justice for Hope, I have to believe that or I'd go totally out of my mind! (I'm almost there)!

Sandy, sorry that this is taking such a toll on you. I always pray that Hope has found a way to accept what happened and, insofar as possible, to be at peace with it. Now, I'll say the same prayer for you. I understand that you have empathy for her and you feel powerless to help (as do I), but you have to try not to dwell on it too much.

As promised, I sent an e-mail to the CEO of the Correctional Healthcare Group, which provided the psychologist. Below is a copy of what I wrote. I don't expect any response. (If I had a court case pending, I wouldn't be providing information to a nameless, faceless person on the internet either, so I don't take it personally.)

I recently watched an interview with the Stark County Sheriff regarding the Hope Steffey case. I was struck by the fact that he said there are lots of naked people, both men and women, in cells at his jail. The impression left is that this is standard operating procedure based upon medical orders from your staff. Since becoming aware of the Steffey case, I have questioned the long-term effects on inmates who are already emotionally fragile when they are treated in a humiliating, traumatic and degrading manner. My fears were confirmed by a psychologist at another Ohio facility who viewed the videotape and asked "If she wasn't suicidal before, is she going to be after she goes through something like this or is she going to want to self-harm?"

How does the service you provide qualify as good medical practice? How can professionals in mental health decide that people have the intent to commit suicide without ever having spoken to them or observed their affect? When Mrs. Steffey is asked by the LPN when was the last time you wanted to harm yourself and she answers now would be a good time, there is absolutely no force behind that statement . She sounded to many like someone who was just fed up with being asked the questions. Unfortunately, she had no idea what she was bringing down on herself by being flippant. Dr. Anuszkiewicz could not have factored in the tone in which her statements were made since he never heard them. With limited information received second hand and in some cases possibly third hand, he decided that Hope Steffey was so dangerously suicidal that force had to be used to remove her clothing and that she needed to be left completely naked. Would this same standard of care be applied outside of a jail setting? A former warden and 27-year veteran of law enforcement viewed the tapes from the jail and commented that Hope appeared in control until her clothes were being removed. Not surprising considering she was first surrounded by eight people, then thrown on the ground, and while held down, handcuffed and powerless, she was stripped naked with men participating, her arm being twisted and a video camera rolling. If this description sounds harsh to you, imagine how the actual event felt to her. She doesn't seem to know why it is happening. (Staff members can't recall who asked her to voluntarily comply and I don't believe for a minute that she was given that option). No expertise is required to preserve someone's physical safety if you want to take extreme measures and totally disregard the emotional and psychological damage which may be inflicted.

Obviously, jail personnel are pressured to place people on precautions if there is even the slightest indication that they may be suicidal. The final responsibility for making the decision then rests with your on-call staff who must be aware that they don't have the complete picture and are concerned about possible liability for their actions. I would be curious to know how many times the recommendations of unqualified jail personnel have been overridden by your psychologists. How many times have they refused to place someone on suicide precautions?

I believe Hope Steffey's rights were violated and that she was harmed as a result. If I was on the jury, I would hold your organization and Dr. Anuszkiewicz largely responsible. I don't believe that standards of medical care or of reasonableness were met in this case. You continue to participate in and profit from a flawed system in which you merely give the appearance of providing meaningful medical intervention. Regardless of how many experts denounce what happened at the Stark County jail, the Sheriff doesn't appear to be giving a moment's thought to how the procedures can be improved. If that is also true of your organization, it is truly disturbing and disheartening because it means that inmates will continue to be at risk of abuse once you set the process in motion. So much for the imperative to first do no harm.

sandyfromoh

11-22-2008, 09:41 PM

Sandy, sorry that this is taking such a toll on you. I always pray that Hope has found a way to accept what happened and, insofar as possible, to be at peace with it. Now, I'll say the same prayer for you. I understand that you have empathy for her and you feel powerless to help (as do I), but you have to try not to dwell on it too much.

[/I]

Thanks Terry, I will try harder to not let it get to me. I really appreciate your kindness, like I said before, you are my hero!
:rose:

John7878

11-22-2008, 10:42 PM

Regardless of how many experts denounce what happened at the Stark County jail, the Sheriff doesn't appear to be giving a moment's thought to how the procedures can be improved. If that is also true of your organization, it is truly disturbing and disheartening
[/I]

Great letter. But as far as I can tell they are NOT involved in the lawsuit, as far as being named in it, unless they are some of the "John Does". So far anyway.

The first time I talked to Mr Stump, I asked him if they were afraid of being included in the suit. He seemed then like he didn't think they would be. But I don't see how they can't be included.
Anyway I told him the sheriff is sliding off the blame on them.

Interesting how much police video is missing, or in some cases, just not being released.

CANTON Shawn W. Savage says police video could prove whether police used excessive force against his 16-year-old son a little more than a week ago.

Savage took the request to City Council on Monday night. He says police will not release any footage.

http://www.cantonrep.com/index.php?ID=394469

John7878

11-22-2008, 10:51 PM

A lot of this is ground John has already covered and, like him, I get nowhere when I ask specific questions.

OH YEAH! Do you get the impression that everything is above board and open, after talking to these people? LoL

I always get the impression of a 12 legged cat in a litter box, trying to cover chit as fast as it can. Heh.

I think I have given up on the two posters on the WKYC site. They have no idea whats going on, because they have talked to no one.
They believe NOTHING I say, and they seem to believe EVERYTHING the cops say, even when evidence says otherwise.

I have no idea what it is with Stark County....something in the water??

http://www.cantonrep.com/index.php?ID=396435

http://www.cantonrep.com/index.php?ID=397800&r=0&Category=15&subCategoryID=0

John7878

11-23-2008, 11:24 AM

This is unbelievable.

And I'm betting if you called the cops, it would have been another case of people just going by "protocols" and being found innocent of any wrong doing. Grrrrrrrrrr :flamemad:

Anger over girls' strip searches

Two British girls were sent to an orphanage for 30 hours and strip searched after their mother became ill during a holiday in the US.

Gemma Bray, 15, and her 13-year-old sister Katie also had their clothes taken off them and were asked if they had been abused or were suicidal.

http://www.spiderednews.com/ChildrensHealth_I.htm?url=@http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/england/devon/7206570.stm

Terry99

11-23-2008, 05:04 PM

But as far as I can tell they are NOT involved in the lawsuit, as far as being named in it, unless they are some of the "John Does". So far anyway.

The first time I talked to Mr Stump, I asked him if they were afraid of being included in the suit. He seemed then like he didn't think they would be. But I don't see how they can't be included.
Anyway I told him the sheriff is sliding off the blame on them.

John, I assumed the psychologist was a defendant when I read this in the Canton Rep article: But in his own court papers, jail psychologist Thomas Anuszkiewicz denies simply going along with the nurse and says he took her information, opinions and evaluations and reached his own conclusion about putting Steffey on precautions. I didn't think he would be filing papers if he was just a witness.

I'll send a copy of my e-mail to Steffey's attorneys, but if they aren't suing the Healthcare Group or Anuszkiewicz, I guess they must have their reasons. As you pointed out, the Sheriff (who says people are responsible for their actions or inactions) keeps placing the blame elsewhere. It's not me, it's the standards. It's not me, its the "doc". I didn't ask for this problem, it was dumped on me. If the jury buys the argument that it was the doctor's responsibility and he's not a defendant, they can't assess any damages against him.

I wonder if Steffey's attorneys can ask Dr. Anuszkiewicz if he knew, when he gave the order, that the jail had a policy of having members of the opposite sex forcibly remove inmate's clothing. Also, as a psychologist what he thinks of that policy and whether he believes Hope's treatment was appropriate or agrees that it could cause long-term damage. I'd love to hear him answer those questions.

John7878

11-25-2008, 06:50 AM

John, I assumed the psychologist was a defendant when I read this in the Canton Rep article: But in his own court papers, jail psychologist Thomas Anuszkiewicz denies simply going along with the nurse and says he took her information, opinions and evaluations and reached his own conclusion about putting Steffey on precautions. I didn't think he would be filing papers if he was just a witness.

I assumed he was too. As I said, I don't know how they could NOT be included in this lawsuit.
And then again maybe Mr Stump was just yanking my chain, you never know.

I wonder if Steffey's attorneys can ask Dr. Anuszkiewicz if he knew, when he gave the order, that the jail had a policy of having members of the opposite sex forcibly remove inmate's clothing. Also, as a psychologist what he thinks of that policy and whether he believes Hope's treatment was appropriate or agrees that it could cause long-term damage. I'd love to hear him answer those questions.

Well he had to know that she would have her cloths removed, somehow the state made it a requirement, which I question. And I would assume that he had to have known that the CERT was made up of both sexes, I mean he does go to the jail sometimes.

I'd love to hear the answers too, but I'd also like an answer to your other question.

QUOTE "How many times has the recommendations of unqualified jail personnel have been overridden by your psychologists. How many times have they refused to place someone on suicide precautions?"

Terry99

11-25-2008, 11:13 AM

Great letter.

Meant to say "thank you" for your kind comment.

What was your impression of Mr. Stump when you spoke to him? Did he seem like he was taking this at all seriously?

sandyfromoh

11-25-2008, 11:25 AM

Just wanted you Terry & John to know, I'm still watching the two of you doing all the work! Didn't want you to think I left the cause, I just don't contribute like the two of you do, again, God Bless you Both!:rose:

John7878

11-25-2008, 05:55 PM

Meant to say "thank you" for your kind comment.

What was your impression of Mr. Stump when you spoke to him? Did he seem like he was taking this at all seriously?

The first time I talked to him, he seemed like he wasn't aware what was going on, but I'm almost sure he HAD to know.
So maybe he was just trying to lead me on.

The second time.
Not at all serious. He sounded like he knew this wasn't going to go anywhere, I suspect they told him the fix was in.

I asked for names of his doc's, but he wouldn't tell me, said it was a jail.
I replied that its a PUBLIC jail.

They have managed to keep their butts covered so far, with rules, regulations, poor excuses, friends in the BCI, a doc that SAYS he diagnosed Steffey, and seconds of a enhanced tape.

But in a civil trial I think they are gonna be screwed. Hanging questions will HAVE to be answered, poor excuses aren't going to cut it, and they won't have friends investigating them.

With good lawyers a jury will put the hurt to them. Which is why this will never see a trial. It will be quietly quashed like the three teens that were strip searched.

Give Steffey some taxpayers money and send her on her way, thats what they expect to do. (And probably will.) :cuss:

Terry99

11-26-2008, 11:12 AM

Sandy, just want to wish you a Happy Thanksgiving.

John - if Libertarian, Deists celebrate that holiday - the same to you.
:D

sandyfromoh

11-26-2008, 01:16 PM

Sandy, just want to wish you a Happy Thanksgiving.

:D

Terry, Thanks so much, and a Very Happy Thanksgiving to you and yours!! You too John!!!!!:rose:

Terry99

12-01-2008, 01:09 PM

I've sent an e-mail to the Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Correction expressing my concerns about its suicide prevention standards and citing quotes from law enforcement and mental health professionals who objected to Stark county policies in this regard. I asked for an answer to the following questions:

*Is lack of resources an acceptable excuse for causing inmates humiliation and emotional trauma which may have long-term effects?

*Does the ODRC plan to change jail standards to prevent situations of this type or do the procedures followed by the Stark County Sheriff's Department have your approval?

Interestingly, Ohio Governor Strickland is a psychologist (as is his wife) and he was a consultant to a prison at one time. So I sent him a copy of the e-mail on the (slim) chance that he will (1) read it and (2) give a hoot.

sandyfromoh

12-01-2008, 04:55 PM

Terry99

12-01-2008, 08:31 PM

Terry, Good luck with the letters!! Glad we have our board back!!
I had to drive through Stark County today and was the most obedient
driver on the road! No way are the Stark County Sheriffs getting ahold of me, with my mouth, I'll really get their Royal Treatment!!!

The best laugh I've had in a while! That would make for quite a WKYC report (tune in tonight for Tom Meyer's exclusive interview with Sandyfromoh).

Now for the bad news. I got my answer from the Bureau of Adult Detention:

As a matter of practice, we do not comment on issues that are currently under investigation and that may include us as a party. I do recommend that you visit our website that I have attached below for your convenience, specifically our current standards. Your concerns relate to sections 5120:1-8-01 A (10) and 5120:1-8-09 (P).

STRIKE ONE!

I sent a response just out of sheer annoyance. My first e-mail cited the current standards many times and so he sends me a link to the same document. Obviously, his reading skills are somewhat lacking. The last paragraph of my response was:

Sheriff Swanson has repeatedly referenced the excellent reviews his jail receives from you. Therefore, I can only assume that you find his current suicide prevention policies acceptable. Apparently, it will take a legal precedent of some sort to accomplish change. If the Steffey case forces your department to provide the guidance and oversight necessary to protect both the inmates and the jail employees, then I hope it succeeds.

(Boy, do I ever!!!)

sandyfromoh

12-01-2008, 10:28 PM

Glad you got a chuckle Terry, especially since your "answer" was BS!
I think you are batting your head against a brick wall with the state. I just wish I were on the jury for Hope, that's the only chance that there will be justice for her. It certainly won't come from our so called representatives! I thought "we the people" are the government???? And the STUPID people keep voting them back into office?? What is going on in this country? GOD bless America, we really need it!!:confused:

John7878

12-02-2008, 11:08 AM

[I]As a matter of practice, we do not comment on issues that are currently under investigation and that may include us as a party.

Huh?!?!? WHAT investigation?

The grand jury investigation is OVER.

So what "investigation" are they referring to?!?!?

Try asking them what they are talking about....sounds like they just don't want to talk about it.

:confused:

Terry99

12-02-2008, 08:08 PM

Huh?!?!? WHAT investigation?

The grand jury investigation is OVER.

So what "investigation" are they referring to?!?!?

Try asking them what they are talking about....sounds like they just don't want to talk about it.

:confused:

I think he means that the Bureau of Adult Detention either is or may become a defendant in the civil lawsuit. Based on that, I can understand why they don't want to talk...but not why they don't want to listen.

I'd be surprised if there was any investigating going on. When Tom Meyer asked the Sheriff if an LPN or RN screened Hope Steffey at the jail, he didn't know the answer. It's been publicly reported that it was an LPN and that fact is part of the lawsuit. In his reply to me, Mr. Hunyadi referred me to a section of the jail standards relating to strip searches and body cavity searches. The Sheriff and BCI are claiming that what happened to Hope Steffey doesn't fall into either of those categories. Somehow, Mr. Hunyadi doesn't seem to know that.

I honestly don't think facts or ideas interest Sheriff Swanson. He speaks in meaningless generalities - "it is what it is"; "you're responsible for your actions or inactions", etc. It's sad - and more than a little bit frightening - to realize that he has power over other people.

John7878

12-03-2008, 10:53 AM

I think he means that the Bureau of Adult Detention either is or may become a defendant in the civil lawsuit. Based on that, I can understand why they don't want to talk...but not why they don't want to listen.

Right they can't talk about that case, but I have found that some try to use that to not answer about ANYTHING, even general procedures they use. The sheriff's dept is good for that. And the BCI uses their veil of secrecy to try to keep people from asking too many questions, all the while telling you if you have any questions, to just ask.
Then just try asking....I asked them HOW someone could be TOO suicidal for a covering of ANY kind, even one DESIGNED for the purpose.
Their reply?
QUOTE "Ask Stark County".

BTW I DID ask Stark County Sheriff's dept....their reply?
QUOTE "You'd be surprised"

All above board and honest answers.....(Grrrrrrrrrr)

I'd be surprised if there was any investigating going on.

Me too. They are all about damage control. Getting "evidence" that they went 'by the book', and that somehow Steffey deserved to get treated like that.
What a crock!

I honestly don't think facts or ideas interest Sheriff Swanson. He speaks in meaningless generalities - "it is what it is"; "you're responsible for your actions or inactions", etc. It's sad - and more than a little bit frightening - to realize that he has power over other people.

Its sad and REALLY frightening that they put him BACK into office!!

I just keep asking.............. HOW???

The state is going broke and this guy is listed in a dozen lawsuits.

http://dockets.justia.com/search?query=Timothy+A.+Swanson&search=Search&stateorcourt=court-ohndce&lawsuittype=&documentfilter=allcases&cases=mostrecent&min-day=1&min-month=1&min-year=2004&max-day=3&max-month=12&max-year=2008

I guess the taxpayers don't mind paying out for this dimwit.
I am with Sandy, I just wish I was on the jury, I'd give them a number that would make taxpayers think twice about re-electing this embarrassment to the sheriff's office.

John7878

12-05-2008, 08:50 PM

Still posting some on the WKYC story:

http://www.wkyc.com/news/news_article.aspx?storyid=100466

My last post:

John446 wrote:
footballmom89
I just got off the phone with Ron from the Bureau of Adult Detention.
Again they can’t talk about anything directly that’s about the Steffey case, but I said I just wanted information about general rules & procedures.
He did say as the head of law enforcement for Stark County the sheriff can set up policies within the framework of the minimum jail standards.

If there are concerns about the jail policies, there are ways to correct them, most by going to court.
But you can also, according to Ron, contact the the Stark County prosecutor, judges, and county commissioners to try to get concerns straightned out.

I asked about the standards themselves. I said that mental health officials say this is the LAST option that should be used, but as far as the standards go it’s the FIRST and ONLY option.

Again he said that they are in the process of changing the standards. Its going to take so long to change them because the standards are actually law and need to be changed by the legislation.
He said the new standards should be ready to review at the end of 2009 or the beginning of 2010.

Mule as for you being as “qualified” as me on the opinion of how close to rape this is.

All I can say is that I am agreeing with the VICTIMS of this abuse and THEIR opinions of it.

Now when you can find a woman that has gone through this, and shares YOUR opinion of what it is, I’ll consider changing my mind.

That was the point of my post about this, but I guess you didn’t “get it”.

As I said before, my mind is not set in stone, but then its not changed without evidence either.
Oh, I forgot, you don’t bother giving any effort to actually looking for anything to support your views. (or you really have, and can’t find any.)
Nevermind.

You didn’t see men removing cloths!?!?!
I suppose I could give you the exact time index in the video that it happens. But I just can’t stand to view this again, especially for someone that makes no effort themselves.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gDRsCkc-9k0

John7878

12-06-2008, 08:40 AM

Sandy, just want to wish you a Happy Thanksgiving.

John - if Libertarian, Deists celebrate that holiday - the same to you.
:D

LoL Missed this I guess.

Yup still do the holidays......

And in case your curious.

http://www.deism.com/deism_defined.htm

Terry99

12-06-2008, 07:04 PM

LoL Missed this I guess.

Yup still do the holidays......

And in case your curious.

http://www.deism.com/deism_defined.htm

Based on that definition, I guess I'm also a Deist. I do believe in a superior power and intelligent design. Also, that there is much about existence that is beyond our ability to understand. But, as I agree with something I once read (i.e., "religion should never outrage reason"), I often have issues with my own faith. If my heart and mind tell me something's not true or not fair, I can't accept it. I'll have to try to say more prayers only of thanks. Usually I give a quick "thank you" or "I love you" and then ask for something.

Terry99

12-07-2008, 04:12 PM

John, seems to me that Ron at the Bureau of Adult Detention is just proving our point (and talking in circles). The Sheriff has the leeway to do whatever he wants because the standards are so weak...put the person in a cell and take their belongings...period. Unlike prisons in Ohio, jails are not even required by their standards to provide suicide prevention garments. Does that mean they never have to do it unless they want to? The Bureau of Adult Detention is part of the ODRC, which regulates both jails and prisons, so why the disparity in the requirements?

Anyway, as I've said before the minimum standards for jails are very specific about illumination, laundry and physical plant but completely lacking when it comes to suicide prevention. Why do they have to wait for a lawsuit? The Bureau has the power, but not the will, to do the right thing.

John7878

12-09-2008, 12:28 PM

but completely lacking when it comes to suicide prevention. Why do they have to wait for a lawsuit? The Bureau has the power, but not the will, to do the right thing.

Probably a few reasons.

First they don't want to be specific.

Its the cheapest way to do things....(unless there is a lawsuit of course).

And they want to be able to use this to punish prisoners that cause trouble.

And I believe, as a poster on WKYC said, some police consider this a 'perk'.

Like I have said before there are plenty of cases before this, that the people in charge in Stark County HAD to know this was illegal.

The only way they can defend themselves on this is to claim that Steffey was "drunk & out of control". I guess if they say it enough times they think someone will believe it....and from the looks of it, some people have.

It upsets me that they can't see through the BS the sheriff & the conspirators are putting out, but then I have to remember that I have looked into this a lot more and have probably got a LOT more info than everyone just reading this in the papers.

Still you'd think people would at least have a hint of something not right. After all, theres just TOO many conflicting versions, TOO much evidence "missing", a MONTHS long "investigation" that leaves too many questions, and too many illogical and unreasonable explanations for everything that was done.

Terry99

12-10-2008, 02:12 PM

In all the documents you've read, have you found anything to indicate that Hope Steffey physically assaulted Gurlea or any of the jail personnel? In the Canton Rep it only talked about things like turning her face or pulling away, but then Swanson and others are calling her "verbally and physically abusive" to staff. If there was any violence on her part, I'm sure they would have charged her with it at that time.

On the other hand, Gurlea doesn't even know if she has serious injuries from the first incident and he throws her across the hood of his car, then onto the ground and puts his foot on her back (causing her to vomit)...but he's not abusive.

John7878

12-11-2008, 05:59 AM

In all the documents you've read, have you found anything to indicate that Hope Steffey physically assaulted Gurlea or any of the jail personnel?

In the trial transcripts Gurlea claimed that Steffey 'poked' him.

But witnesses at the trial said that Steffey just pointed at the pocket where he had her sisters license. This was after he told her to "shut up about your dead sister".

But according to the papers accounts, his arrest report never mentioned getting 'poked'. And Steffey's lawyer never brought out that fact at the trial.

I have never seen any video of her being 'out of control & verbally & physically abusive', except when the police have first assaulted her.

On the other hand, Gurlea doesn't even know if she has serious injuries from the first incident and he throws her across the hood of his car, then onto the ground and puts his foot on her back (causing her to vomit)...but he's not abusive.

From witness accounts Gurlea just exploded in a rage and threw her on the trunk of the car, then had her in a arm bar. So when she tries to keep him from breaking her arm, this is "resisting".

Also he couldn't recall if he had one knee in her back or both.

These are the oldest cop tricks in the book. You don't 'hit' anyone, you just slam them into something. And then twist their arm till they "resist" arrest.

Steffey also claimed that having her arms in cuffs made her sick, which is why she slipped them off. (But then she tells the cop about it...so much for "resisting" arrest.)
Some people assume that she got sick because she was drunk. But it could also have been from the concussion or the cops assault.

Who knows since the cop didn't "feel the need" to get any evidence.

John7878

12-11-2008, 06:07 AM

I love the stuff written:

QUOTE:Steffey got in trouble the night she called the sheriff's office for help. She was identified as the victim of an assault. But when the deputy responded, there was confusion.

Steffey gave the officer her deceased sister's driver's license, which she kept as a personal memento." UNQUOTE

WHY was there 'confusion'??? She was identified as the victim, what 'confusion' are they talking about???

Then it goes on to say about the license. It makes it sound like she was trying to scam the officer with a different license.
But even Gurlea said at trial that she was NOT trying to pass herself off as her sister with a PHOTO ID.

John7878

12-11-2008, 08:25 AM

But what is odd is the sheriff has looked into housing more females in his jail, but then complains that he doesn't have enough female staff to handle them.

http://www2.cantonrep.com/index.php?ID=407706&originalStoryID=408088&r=

QUOTE "He still hopes to hear from other agencies that indicated they may have an overflow of female prisoners that the county jail can house."

Hmmmmmmmm

First off I have to wonder, when you are asking other agencies to house their prisoners at your jail, why would you even offer to house a female prisoner, if you don't have the personnel to handle them?!?!?!

When you admit in a news interview that you don't have the 'luxury' of having enough female staff to handle female prisoners.

I guess its just another great mystery of the Stark County Sheriff's dept....or is it?

John7878

12-12-2008, 01:27 PM

Well called the sheriff again today....guess what?? Thats right, he wasn't in....AGAIN! LoL

I asked what the 'investigation' into the three teen girls that were strip searched ever turned up.

Well the secretary didn't know, so she transfered me to someone else at the jail.
They also didn't know either, but took my name & number and have assured me that someone will get back to me.

When I find out, what they found out, I'll post here.......:cursing:

Terry99

12-12-2008, 03:28 PM

There are so many more questions than answers. For example, there is no documentation that Hope was ever asked to voluntarily comply. So, who was it at the jail who called for the CERT team and use of force? Can anyone order that to be done or does it have to be someone at a supervisory level? Any ideas as to who would have those answers?

(Wonder what happened to Sandy. Do you think she's ditched us for someone on another message board?)

sandyfromoh

12-12-2008, 03:56 PM

John7878

12-12-2008, 10:41 PM

There are so many more questions than answers. For example, there is no documentation that Hope was ever asked to voluntarily comply.

Thats because I believe she was NEVER asked.

Unless you believe that a MONTHS long investigation can't find out even WHO said that.

And then you'd have to believe in the 'magic' camera. The one that is shown with the LED screen on while they parade her down the hall, but the operator doesn't know WHY it didn't tape that part.
BUT THEN, as they force Steffey down to the bunk to strip her, it starts working again.
Completely skipping the part when Steffey says she was never asked, and claims she was assaulted by the jail staff. (Amazing huh?)

But the staff says they never jammed her face in the floor, as she claims, but then they report the nurse treated her for a bruised nose. So you'd have to ignore this evidence too.

You'd also have to explain why they said the 'missing' part of the video would be released to Steffey's lawyers, when I called May 5th (3 months after people started asking for it), to ask if it was EVER going to be released.
Then, during the grand jury investigation, they come up with the video having NEVER existed.

Well if it NEVER existed, how can someone say that it will be released?

(They didn't say "I know nothing about this" or deny that the tape existed then. They did in fact, acknowledge its existence, by saying it would be released.)

So this is what you'd have to do to believe this fairytale of the sheriff's.
In other words time after time the story changes, a months long investigation that leaves questions unanswered, conflicting versions, 'missing' evidence, and too many illogical explanations for everything that was done.

So, who was it at the jail who called for the CERT team and use of force? Can anyone order that to be done or does it have to be someone at a supervisory level? Any ideas as to who would have those answers?

You mean the "official" answers, or how the system actually works?
Theres probably a difference you know.

Officially the doctor ordered it, but at the advice of the nurse.

But most likely, the officers actually started this, even though they claim they don't have anything to do with it.
===

Well no call back from the Sheriff's dept today....maybe Monday!?!?!? :confused:

John7878

12-16-2008, 12:27 PM

Well no call back from the Sheriff's dept today....maybe Monday!?!?!? :confused:

TA DA!! Got a call back from the sheriff today!

And it was the big kahuna himself, Tim Swanson. (Finally after 10 months!!!)

I asked about the investigation into the three teens that were stripped and what was ever found out.

He didn't know.

He said I could call the county prosecutor or he'd have someone call me back. I said to have someone call me back.

The call was early and I didn't act fast enough to ask about the other cases, Steffey's and the Russina woman, Valentina Dyshko, before he hung up.

I'll be ready for the next call. :blushing:

Terry99

12-16-2008, 01:23 PM

Wow...the BIG man himself...what an honor.:rolleyes: Once again, Swanson doesn't have any answers. Do you get the feeling sometimes that he's really clueless about what goes on in his county? Anyway, whoever calls back should be free to talk about the incident involving the three teens since the investigation is done and the case has been settled.

I'm still sending notes to Stark County newspapers, etc. on the Steffey case just to keep the issue going. Also sent an e-mail to the Ohio ACLU to ask whether they have looked into this matter. Don't remember reading any reaction from them when the suit was filed. If I get a response, will let you know.

John7878

12-18-2008, 08:07 AM

Once again, Swanson doesn't have any answers. Do you get the feeling sometimes that he's really clueless about what goes on in his county? Anyway, whoever calls back should be free to talk about the incident involving the three teens since the investigation is done and the case has been settled.

Ok had some trouble my FireFox updated and then blew up. Now I can't get it back running again, so far. So I'm on a different computer.

The chief deputy called back. Apparently the sheriff never told him what I was asking about. So when I did ask him, all he could say was he didn't have the report in front of him.

Yes, it was investigated...BUT he didn't have the report in front of him.

Yes, the sheriff's dept was the one that investigated, BUT he didn't have the report in front of him.

So just basically what was found out, he didn't know, he didn't have the report in front of him.

What about the other two cases, not settled.

Said to try calling the county prosecutor.

:cursing:

Newname

12-18-2008, 02:17 PM

Okay, I'm new here but have a few things to point out that may have already been touched on. If so, I apologize for beating anything into the ground.
1. If the police really believe Hope Steffey to be suicidal, why didn't they get her some real help? Were there no hospitals with professional staff trained to deal with this kind of thing that the cops could have taken Hope to?

2. How is it that at one point they believe she's so suicidal that she can't even be trusted to wear her socks, but then just a few hours after being traumatized, suddenly Hope is now mentally stable to the extent that they police don't ask a judge to have her commited for a mental evaluation? If they believe someone is a threat to theirself, aren't the police required to ask a judge to intervene and force this person into a facility where they can be evalulated? Their failure to do this speaks volumes about their real thoughts about Hope Steffey being suicidal.

3. What about a suicide suit? Are they asking us to believe that a five feet, three inch tall female weighing 113 pounds could kill herself wearing one of those? That isn't even worthy of consideration. Those suits are designed to prevent suicidal people from harming theirself, but a person Hopes size couldn't even be allowed the dignity of wearing one of those? Did they think she was going to turn into the Incredible Hulk or something? Or is it possible that they did this to her mainly for their own amusement? Their laughter at the end of the video is quite obvious.

4. What happened to the portion of the video that would have shown if they really did give Hope a chance to remove her own clothing? Oh, that's right. The camera stopped working until after Hope was already on the ground...
You don't have to be a genius to call bs on that one. Eight people followed her into that cell. If they really intended to give her the opportunity to take off her own clothes instead of being stripped, why did they need so many people to follow into the cell initially? And why did any of them have to be men at that point? If she knew why the were going to remove her clothes, why did she keep screaming, "What are you doing"? She clearly had no idea they were going to do that to her until her pants were being pulled down.

5. When does her civil trial begin? Or are they going to attempt to give her some money so it will just go away? I personally hope she and her lawyers don't settle and instead win this case in court.

sandyfromoh

12-18-2008, 02:45 PM

Okay, I'm new here but have a few things to point out that may have already been touched on. When does her civil trial begin? Or are they going to attempt to give her some money so it will just go away? I personally hope she and her lawyers don't settle and instead win this case in court.

Welcome New, Her trial is supposed to be in May, but it was also supposed to be in December, so who knows. I would suggest you read what John and Terry have posted, they have done so much between the two of them, and it will clear up most of your questions.

Newname

12-18-2008, 03:02 PM

Welcome New, Her trial is supposed to be in May, but it was also supposed to be in December, so who knows. I would suggest you read what John and Terry have posted, they have done so much between the two of them, and it will clear up most of your questions.
Thank you.
I'll go back and read over this thread.
That video has made me sick, though.
It's one of those things that you just can't get out of your head.
Hopefully this victim in this case will get some form of justice.

Newname

12-18-2008, 06:05 PM

Okay, I went back through this thread and found answers to a lot of my questions, but there were a few things I didn't see talked about.
I'd love to know why they determined that Hope was so disturbed that she couldn't even be allowed to wear a suicide suit. What excuse did they give for that, if any? Those things are either very strong or made of paper, either of which it's hard to imagine anyone being able to hurt theirself while wearing one.
I would also like to know if they've addressed why they didn't try taking her to a facility where professionally trained people could have watched over her? Was there no such place available or did they just not want to take the time and effort?
And finally, have any statements been made about why, if they really believed her to be suicidal, the judge in the case wasn't asked to have her commited to a mental health facility in order for her to be evalutated? I thought police had not choice but to seek a civil commitment of any person they deem to be a threat to harm theirself?

Terry99

12-18-2008, 07:04 PM

QUOTE=Newname;12555062]Okay, I went back through this thread and found answers to a lot of my questions, but there were a few things I didn't see talked about.
Welcome. Glad you decided to join the discussion. Our fearless leader John has more information than I do, but I'll try to answer your questions.

I'd love to know why they determined that Hope was so disturbed that she couldn't even be allowed to wear a suicide suit. What excuse did they give for that, if any? Those things are either very strong or made of paper, either of which it's hard to imagine anyone being able to hurt theirself while wearing one.

No specific reason has been given, but these are the jail's policies regarding withholding a suicide prevention garment:

Note: No "precautions suit" is given when an inmate:

— Is highly suicidal or whose risk factor is high.

— Is significantly agitated or behaviorally out of control or unstable.

— Exhibits self-injurious actions just before, during or after an arrest, or has made statements asserting a plan to harm self.

— Refuses to answer or is incapable of answering mental health questions relating to self-harm or harm to others.

They have already laid the groundwork to say that she fit into all these categories. There is an "enhanced" but still poor quality audiotape where they assert she refused to answer questions about whether she had any history of mental health problems (I couldn't hear her say that, but that's how they've interpreted it). When asked when was the last time you thought about harming yourself, she responded now would be a good time. (No doubt being sarcastic.) They're also saying she was verbally and physically abusive and out of control. On the audio and videotape taken at the jail that doesn't appear to be the case, but that's what jail personnel testified to after the fact. (If she had really physically assaulted any staff member, she would have been charged with it, but she wasn't.) John asked the general question as to why you would need to withhold a suit made specifically for suicide prevention and how it could pose a danger. He got some nonsense answer like "you'd be surprised".

I'd also like to know if they've addressed why they didn't try taking her to a facility where professionally trained people could have watched over her? Was there no such place available or did they just not want to take the time and effort?

I don't think there's any official answer from the Sheriff's Department. Apparently, it's not uncommon to place inmates on precautions. People who claim to be in law enforcement have posted on other sites indicating that it would require too much time and manpower to take all of them to hospitals.

And finally, have any statements been made about why, if they really believed her to be suicidal, the judge in the case wasn't asked to have her commited to a mental health facility in order for her to be evalutated? I thought police had not choice but to seek a civil commitment of any person they deem to be a threat to harm theirself?

According to the Canton rep article "About six hours later, a nurse talked to Steffey again. She was cooperative and denied wanting to harm herself, the nurse wrote. The medical staff gave her a precaution suit to wear...she was released later that afternoon." It was just as simple and miraculous as that. All her mental problems had been cured. Amazing what a nap can do for a dangerously suicidal, mentally unstable, violently out of control person.

If you're confused by these answers, you are now officially a member of our club.

Newname

12-18-2008, 07:30 PM

Thanks for your response.
And yes, the answers provided by the police make about as much sense as disco.
Judging by their criteria, nobody who is suicidal would be okay to wear a suicide prevention suit. I mean, is there really such as thing as being a little suicidal? I also agree that the sarcasm in Hopes voice when she said, "Now would be a good time", was very clear.
I also don't like the claim that it would require too much time to take suicidal people to an appropriate facility. Tough cookies. Are we supposed to be okay with them abusing and humiliating someone who is mentally troubled just because the police don't want to take the time to deal with it appropriately and would rather just strip the person naked and leave them in a cold jail cell for several hours? I'm not saying that I believe Hope was really mentally unbalanced, by the way. I think that's just the excuse the police used to punish someone who might have gotten under their skin a little.
Even if she really was a threat to herself, you don't have to be Dr. Phil to realize that a person who has been deemed extremely suicidal isn't going to be okie dokie just a few hours later, especially if they've basically been physically abused and sexually assaulted by a group of people we average citizens are supposed to be able to trust. I do consider this to be a sexual violation, too. When several men subdue and unjustifiably rip the clothes off of a female, there's definitely a sexual aspect to it. Had they really believed Hope was suicidal, I can't believe they wouldn't have addressed that with the judge who set her bail. They knew full well that she was never a threat to herself in the first place.
It's hard for me to believe this sheriff got re-elected, too. How did that ever happen?
I wonder what excuses the defendants lawyers will come up with for the points being made in this thread. That will be interesting to hear.