STARK COUNTY COURT Man shot by cop is cleared of charges

The man filed a suit against Perry Township and Massillon police.
CANTON (AP) -- A man left paralyzed after he was shot by a police officer during a drug raid has been cleared of criminal charges.
A jury in Stark County Common Pleas Court has acquitted Shay Neace, 24, of Massillon, on felony counts of resisting arrest and obstructing official business. Jurors deliberated for nearly eight hours over two days and reached their verdict Thursday.
"He feels vindicated," said attorney Rick Pitinii, who defended Neace.
Still pending in federal court is a lawsuit Neace and his mother filed against Perry Township and Massillon police and officials. It claims Neace's civil rights were violated, and that police used unreasonable and excessive force.
Neace was wounded March 21, 2003.
Grand jury
A Stark County grand jury reviewed the shooting in June 2003 and determined that Perry Township patrol officer William Watson took reasonable action. A different grand jury indicted Neace in November 2003.
The night of the shooting, police raided a house, intending to arrest a man who lived there, but not Neace. Police saw Neace carrying a gun as he was coming from a room. Watson said he grabbed for Neace's weapon and that the two struggled. Two shots hit Neace. None of the other police officers in the house witnessed the struggle or shooting.
Assistant Stark County Prosecutor Joe Vance said he disagreed with the jury's verdict, but respects the panel's decision.
"It's disappointing that you're allowed to pull a gun on a police officer," Vance said.