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Cleveland, OH

Family of teen killed during 2019 Cleveland police chase to receive $4.8M in settlement

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Family of teen killed during 2019 Cleveland police chase to receive $4.8M in settlement


CLEVELAND, Ohio (WOIO) – The family of Tamia Chappman, the 13-year-old girl killed in 2019 during a chase between a stolen car and Cleveland police officers, announced Monday they have settled their civil lawsuit with the city of Cleveland for $4.8 million.

The settlement is the largest pursuit settlement in the state of Ohio.

Tamia died Dec. 20, 2019 after the car, stolen by two teenagers, crashed into her in East Cleveland during the high-speed pursuit. A Cuyahoga County Court of Common Pleas judge sentenced the 16-year-old driver in Oct. of 2021 to a prison term of 26 to 31 years, with at least nine years being mandatory.

The second teen, who was a passenger, pleaded guilty in juvenile court in April 2020 and was sentenced to four years at the Ohio Department of Youth Services.

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RELATED STORY: Teen driver sentenced to at least 26 years for chase which ended in crash that killed 13-year-old girl

Tamia’s family filed a lawsuit against the city in May of 2020.

The Chappman family attorneys said former Mayor Frank Jackson and then-police chief Calvin Williams did not apologize for the deadly chase that occurred during their tenure.

A public records request from 19 News revealed the city spent hundreds of thousands of dollars in legal fees, as of May 2023, to defend itself in the civil suit.

RELATED STORY: City of Cleveland spends hundreds of thousands to fight lawsuit in death of 13-year-old Tamia Chapman

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City spokesperson Tyler Sinclair released the following statement to 19 News:

The City’s decision to settle this case was an extremely difficult one. The police pursuit in question was initiated due to a violent armed carjacking of an innocent 72-year-old woman outside of a grocery store. The criminals were quickly identified and cowardly chose to flee from police leading to the tragic death of an innocent 13-year-old girl. They were arrested, later convicted of crimes related to both incidents, and are currently serving decades-long prison sentences.

On one hand, you have police officers who were trying to do their job to remove violent armed individuals from the streets so they couldn’t victimize more people and commit additional violent crimes. On the other hand, a 13-year-old girl was tragically killed leaving her family, friends, and entire community in heartbreak.

The City had to consider all relevant factors prior to this outcome, including a potential trial and additional costs, but we want to be clear that there are no winners or losers in a case as tragic as this one and – while it is easy to point fingers one way or another – the fact remains that if the armed carjacker never committed that crime then Tamia would still be here with us today.

Additionally, it would be inaccurate to suggest that the City has not made any progress under the consent decree since this incident, as the Division of Police received upgraded compliance from the independent Monitoring Team in 35 benchmarks – equating to a 400% net increase – just last year, which includes improvements in Use of Force, Accountability, and numerous other categories. We look forward to building on that progress in the months to come.

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This is a developing story. Return to 19 News for updates.



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Cleveland, OH

FBI Cleveland Special Agent in Charge Appointed by Governor DeWine to the Ohio Peace Officer Training Commission

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FBI Cleveland Special Agent in Charge Appointed by Governor DeWine to the Ohio Peace Officer Training Commission


[Cleveland, OH] (6-12-24) FBI Cleveland Special Agent in Charge Greg Nelsen was recently appointed to the Ohio Peace Officer Training Commission by Ohio Governor Mike DeWine. 

Greg Nelsen

The Ohio Peace Officer Training Commission improves Ohio peace officers’ professional capabilities through the careful oversight of law enforcement training within the state. The commission has also been given the same responsibility regarding private security, local corrections, jail personnel, bailiffs, and public defender investigators.

Nelsen said-

“I am honored to serve as the newest member of the Ohio Peace Officer Training Commission and help to uphold and improve law enforcement training in Ohio.”

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Nelsen has served in the FBI for over 23 years, and prior to leading the Cleveland Division, he most recently was the deputy assistant director of the FBI Criminal Justice Information Service (CJIS) Division’s Operational Programs Branch. CJIS provides a range of state of-the-art tools and services to law enforcement, national security and intelligence community partners, and the public. Nelsen was a police officer prior to joining the FBI.
Nelsen has served in the FBI for over 23 years, and prior to leading the Cleveland Division, he most recently was the deputy assistant director of the FBI Criminal Justice Information Service (CJIS) Division’s Operational Programs Branch. CJIS provides a range of state of-the-art tools and services to law enforcement, national security and intelligence community partners, and the public. Nelsen was a police officer prior to joining the FBI.

Peace Officer Training Commission members are appointed by the governor with the advice and consent of the Ohio Senate. Members serve three-year terms. The commission issues recommendations to the Attorney General about matters pertaining to law enforcement training. 

To fulfill its statutory responsibility and improve law enforcement training in Ohio, the commission may recommend to the Attorney General:

  • Rules for approving peace officer, private security, corrections, public defender investigator, bailiff, canine, and firearms training and certification.
  • The curriculum, minimum attendance, equipment, and facility requirements necessary for approval of training programs.
  • Minimum qualifications required for instructors at approved training sites.
  • Categories or classifications of advanced in-service training programs for peace officers.
  • Minimum requirements for the certification of canines used by law enforcement agencies.

The commission is also authorized to:

  • Recommend studies, surveys, and reports designed to evaluate its own effectiveness.
  • Visit and inspect any peace officer training school within the state.
  • Establish fees for the services the commission provides.
  • Make recommendations to the Attorney General or the General Assembly with respect to the fulfillment of its statutory responsibilities.
  • Report progress to the Attorney General throughout the year and to the governor and the General Assembly annually.

Per the Ohio Revised Code, the commission also includestwo incumbent sheriffs, two incumbent chiefs of police, one representative from the general public, a representative from the Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation, a representative from the Ohio State Highway Patrol, a member from the Ohio Department of Education, Trade and Industrial Education Services, and a representative of a Law Enforcement Fraternal Organization.



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Cleveland, OH

Report: Ohio among worst states in the U.S.

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Report: Ohio among worst states in the U.S.


OHIO — The U.S. News & World Report released its sixth Best States rankings, and this year’s shows Ohio is among the worst. 

The rankings are based across 71 metrics in eight categories, including the economy, health care, infrastructure and natural environment. Some categories were weighed more heavily than others. Health care and education had the most weight, then came state economies, infrastructure and opportunities given to each state’s citizens. 

Ohio came in 36th place. It ranked high in opportunities for citizens and fiscal stability, but low in natural environment, economy and health care. 

 

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Here’s what the report ranked as the Top 10 states:

  1. Utah
  2. New Hampshire
  3. Nebraska
  4. Minnesota
  5. Idaho
  6. Iowa
  7. Vermont
  8. Washington
  9. Florida
  10. Massachusettes

Here are the top 10 worst states:

  1. Louisiana
  2. New Mexico
  3. Mississippi
  4. Arkansas
  5. West Virginia 
  6. Alaska
  7. Alabama
  8. Oklahoma
  9. Michigan
  10. South Carolina



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Cleveland, OH

3rd man charged in deadly shooting of Cleveland mom in front of her children

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3rd man charged in deadly shooting of Cleveland mom in front of her children


CLEVELAND, Ohio (WOIO) – The Cuyahoga County prosecutor said a third person is now charged in the deadly shooting of a Cleveland mother in front of her two young children.

Alyson Appling-France, 29, was shot 17 times while unloading groceries in the parking lot of her apartment complex near Detroit Avenue and Berea Road on Jan. 10, said Cuyahoga County Prosecutor Michael O’Malley.

PREVIOUS STORY: 2 indicted for fatally shooting Cleveland mother in front of her kids

PREVIOUS STORY: Dog killed during SWAT situation in Garfield Heights; 2 arrested for Cleveland murder

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Her daughters, ages six and 10, were inside the car. They were not injured.

O’Malley said a grand jury has indicted Jamar Skanes, 49, Alontez Beasley, 34, and Clarence Bennett, 43, on these charges:

JAMAR SKANES ALONTEZ BEASLEY CLARENCE BENNETT
One count of aggravated murder
One count of conspiracy to commit murder
Two counts of murder
Five counts of felonious assault
One count of aggravated murder
One count of conspiracy to commit murder
Two counts of murder
One count of involuntary manslaughter
Five counts of felonious assault
One count of having weapons while under disability
One count of aggravated murder
One count of conspiracy to commit murder
Two counts of murder
One count of involuntary manslaughter
Five counts of felonious assault
One count of having weapons while under disability

Skanes pleaded not guilty on Feb. 8 to aggravated murder, murder, and felonious assault, The judge ordered him held on a $1 million bond.

Beasley was also in court on Feb. 8 and pleaded not guilty to murder, aggravated murder, felonious assault, having weapons under disability, and involuntary manslaughter.

He received a $1 million bond.

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PREVIOUS STORY: 2 men plead not guilty to shooting Cleveland mom 17x in front of her children

Arraignments for Skanes and Beasley on the new charges will happen at a later date, according to O’Malley.

Alontez Beasley (left) Jamar Skanes (right)(Source: Cuyahoga County Jail)

According to O’Malley, Bennett followed the victim to Target, watched her enter and exit, then tipped off Skanes and Beasley when she was heading home.

After the shooting, Skanes and Beasley fled the scene, said O’Malley. They were arrested by Cleveland police on Jan. 26.

Bennett remains on the loose and authorities need help locating him. Anyone with information should contact the U.S. Marshals at 1-866-4.WANTED.

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Clarence Bennett
Clarence Bennett(Source: Cuyahoga County Prosecutor)

“These three individuals conspired to brutally murder Alyson Appling-France in front of her 10-year-old and 6-year-old daughters. Their actions were unfathomable, and it is my firm belief that they are a danger to the public… Jamar Skanes and Alontez Beasley are in custody. We need the public’s help to find Clarence Bennett. If you have any information regarding his whereabouts, please contact the U.S. Marshals at 1-866-4.WANTED.”



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