3 More Disciplined After Cleveland Officer Steps On Man’s Throat

METRO CLEVELAND, OH — Three more Cleveland police officers have been suspended after they reportedly failed to intervene during a 2018 incident in which a fellow officer stepped on a man’s throat while arresting him.

Cleveland public safety Director Karrie Howard issued 21-day suspensions for officers Michael Cozart II and Richard Delvecchio, and a 14-day suspension for officer Patrick Valencic, Cleveland.com reported.

The trio join seven other officers disciplined in connection with the incident.

During a September 2018 domestic disturbance call, body camera footage showed former officer John Petkac pursuing the suspect, whom he later found hiding in a garbage can, Cleveland.com reported. He tipped over the garbage can, footage showed, before dragging the man by his hair and stepping on his throat. Petkac was fired in December 2020.

Cleveland Police Patrolmen’s Association President Jeff Follmer told Cleveland.com that he plans to appeal the suspensions.

Read more by Adam Ferrise, reporting for Cleveland.com

Ohio College Fires ‘Mean Girls’ Actor For Being Gay

“Mean Girls” actor Daniel Franzese went on record Thursday after he said he was fired by Walsh University in Ohio for being gay. Franzese said he was hired by the Catholic university to host its Mr. Walsh pageant in February, but his contract was terminated a day after the Vatican released a statement condemning same-sex relationships and calling them a “sin.”

Read more by Alex Bollinger, reporting for LGBTQ Nation

Metro Cleveland Headlines

• 8 People Accused Of Gang Activity: Prosecutors announced charges against eight people accused of being members of the Laflexico gang, which operates on Cleveland's west side. Via Cleveland Patch.
• Rite Aid Prioritizes Vaccines For Child Care Workers: Rite Aid announced it will set aside specific days to vaccinate teachers, school staff, child care providers and other educators. Via Cleveland Patch.
• Catalytic Converter Thefts On Rise: A local task force is reporting an increase in catalytic converter thefts, likely due to rising resale prices of precious metals. Via News 5.
• Vaccinated? Get A 10-Cent Beer: Market Garden Brewery is adding some extra incentive to those who receive their coronavirus vaccine: 10-cent beers. Via Fox 8.
• An Emotional Reunion For Vaccinated Couple: A year had passed since Stan and Beth Rosenblum saw their grandchildren and great-grandchildren. That changed Thursday when the family reunited at the couple’s assisted living facility home in Beachwood. Via News 5.

“No, I wasn’t concerned for my safety. I thought more about her and then once I had her to safety, I thought about everybody else.”

— Shane Knowlton to Fox 8, on pulling a woman from her stalled car on Interstate 90 before it burst into flames

SPORTS TALK: Cleveland Indians owner Paul Dolan said he’ll likely know by mid-season this year if the team will change its name by the 2022 season. The team announced in December it planned to change its name. Read more by Paul Hoynes, reporting for Cleveland.com

SATURDAY’S WEATHER IN A WORD: Clear

LET’S MAKE PLANS: How about a little murder mystery with your dinner? The Dinner Detective will host an interactive murder mystery show Saturday at the Crowne Plaza Cleveland at Playhouse Square. The event will be held from 6-9 p.m.

• CityMusic Cleveland will host a musical event from 7-8:30 p.m. Friday featuring a variety of musicians as well as the pioneering and influential Amy Beach. This concert is limited to 200 audience members. Masks are required, and social distancing is expected at all times. RSVP here
• Have an event to share? Post it on Patch’s event calendar.

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