TRUMBULL COUNTY Grand jury declines to indict deputy

The deputy sheriff still faces administrative action.
By PEGGY SINKOVICH
VINDICATOR TRUMBULL STAFF
WARREN -- A Trumbull County grand jury decided there is insufficient evidence to indict a Trumbull County deputy sheriff who fired at a fleeing car.
The county prosecutor's office said Wednesday the grand jury reached its decision after meeting in a special session to investigate a shooting involving Deputy Brian Kaintz and Christopher Rex of Southington.
The prosecutor's office noted that the Ohio Bureau of Criminal Identification and Investigation sent results of its investigation to the grand jury.
"After considering all the evidence ... the grand jury found insufficient evidence to charge Deputy Kaintz with a criminal offense," the prosecutor's office said.
Kaintz declined to comment.
Internal investigation
He still faces administrative action.
Sheriff Thomas Altiere has said Kaintz violated department policy on the use of deadly force. The deputy has been on unpaid leave since Sept. 6 pending the outcome of an internal investigation.
According to a videotape recorded by a camera in Kaintz's cruiser, Kaintz began chasing Rex around 2:15 a.m. June 26 on U.S. Route 422 near state Route 534.
At one point, Kaintz can be heard reporting his speed at more than 100 mph. The suspect's vehicle crashed while trying to make a turn.
Kaintz, who is not visible on the tape, can be heard telling the driver to stop. The tape shows the motorist putting the car in reverse, hitting Kaintz's cruiser, pulling forward, then reversing again before driving off.
Kaintz fired several shots at the tires as the vehicle drove off.
Rex was arrested at his home about 20 minutes later.
Suspect's charges
Rex is facing charges of driving under the influence, driving under suspension, speeding, failure to control, failure to comply and felonious assault. His case is pending in Newton Falls Municipal Court, said Richard Schwartz, Newton Falls prosecutor.
Court records in Trumbull, Portage and Geauga counties indicate that Rex's driving convictions date back to 1994 and include DUI and failure to stop for a school bus unloading children.
sinkovich@vindy.com