Sheriff begins probe of case

The 22-year-old was in a deputy's car when he shot himself, the sheriff said.
By PEGGY SINKOVICH
VINDICATOR TRUMBULL STAFF
WARREN -- Trumbull County Sheriff Thomas Altiere says an investigation is under way to determine how a man in a deputy's custody was able to get a gun and shoot himself.
The sheriff said this morning that Kevin John Spina, 22, of Mason Street in Niles, was arrested after 8 p.m. Monday in Newton Township by Deputy Donald Hyde.
The gun used was not the deputy's, the sheriff said.
The man was taken by helicopter to Akron General Hospital and is in critical condition in intensive care. The bullet went through his palate.
The man's hands were handcuffed in the front of his body, the sheriff said.
"I'm supposed to have the report on my desk early this morning, & quot; Altiere said.
The 22-year-old was a suspect in several cases of breaking and entering in Newton Township, Braceville and Warren Township, according to Trumbull County 911 officials and Thomas Rush, Warren Township police chief.
Spina had been in the county jail previously on charges of receiving stolen property, criminal trespassing and criminal mischief. He was released Jan. 17.
Girl also picked up
Hyde picked up the man sometime Monday evening, at an undisclosed location, and was taking him around to pinpoint the break-in sites, Rush said.
Spina was picked up with a juvenile female Monday evening, Altiere explained.
The girl was in custody in the front seat; Spina was handcuffed with his hands in front of him and placed in the back seat, Altiere noted.
The sheriff said this is not proper procedure for handcuffing.
They were going with the deputy to show areas of break-ins. Spina told the deputy that near a bridge in Newton Township was a pillowcase filled with stolen goods.
They got out of the cruiser, found the pillowcase, and Hyde inspected it, finding a couple of stolen radios and other equipment, Altiere said.
The deputy placed the pillowcase with the stolen goods in the back seat with Spina. They were driving down the road when Hyde heard a shot.
Spina put the gun in his mouth shortly before 10 p.m. on Carson-Salt Springs Road in Newton Township, Altiere explained.
Apparently, there was a gun in the pillowcase and the deputy did not see it, the sheriff said.
The department is doing an internal investigation and Hyde is to meet with Altiere this afternoon.
Hyde, 50, has been a Trumbull County deputy for 27 years.
sinkovich@vindy.com