TRUMBULL COUNTY Deputy's report says suspect apologized

The sheriff hopes the internal investigation will be completed in about a week.
By PEGGY SINKOVICH
VINDICATOR TRUMBULL STAFF
WARREN -- A 22-year-old man who shot himself while in the back seat of a Trumbull County Sheriff's Department cruiser apologized to the deputy after the shooting.
According to a report filed by Sgt. Donald Hyde, Kevin Spina, 22, of Niles, talked to him while awaiting an ambulance.
"He was having a hard time breathing, and I removed him from the car and covered him with a raincoat and other items," Hyde stated in the report. "I then noticed a small caliber handgun revolver on the rear seat. Kevin was still able to talk, and he kept saying he was sorry and that he did not want to go back to jail for breaking into the houses. He stated that he had just shot himself in the mouth because he did not want to go to jail."
Spina was in critical condition today in Akron General Hospital. The bullet went through his palate, sheriff officials said.
Sheriff Thomas Altiere said an internal investigation into the matter has started. He noted that Hyde has taken "a few vacation days."
"I am hoping the internal investigation will be done in about a week or so," the sheriff said. He declined to say if Hyde will face any discipline.
Going to break-in sites
According to reports, Spina and a juvenile female were arrested around 8 p.m. Monday on charges of breaking and entering. The two had agreed to cooperate with Hyde and went with the deputy to pinpoint break-in sites.
Hyde said he searched Spina before placing him in the cruiser. Spina's hands were handcuffed in front of his body, Hyde's report states.
The sheriff said that is not proper procedure for handcuffing.
The report further notes that Spina was placed in the back seat of the cruiser and the juvenile was sitting in the front seat.
The three drove to Newton Township and stopped beneath a turnpike overpass to grab a pillowcase that Spina said contained stolen merchandise, Hyde's report states.
Contents of pillowcase
Spina stated that "the pillowcase was by the guardrail and we got out and he showed me the pillowcase," Hyde's report states. "Upon checking the case, there was a large radio that took up the whole case. I also noticed a couple of empty jewelry boxes and he stated that the jewelry was in the bottom of the bag. I then placed the bag in the rear of the car."
Hyde noted in the report that a few minutes later he heard a loud bang. He said he and the juvenile turned and noticed Spina lying on the back seat. The juvenile told Hyde after the shooting that the gun was in the bag, the report states.
"At no time did she or Kevin ever mention anything about a gun," Hyde's report states. Hyde, 50, has been a Trumbull County deputy for 27 years. Spina had been in the county jail previously on charges of receiving stolen property, criminal trespassing and criminal mischief. He was released Jan. 17.
sinkovich@vindy.com