TRUMBULL COUNTY COURT Man who shot himself in cruiser gets 5 years' probation for burglary

The defendant was also ordered to stay out of Newton Falls.
By PEGGY SINKOVICH
VINDICATOR TRUMBULL STAFF
WARREN -- A 22-year-old Niles man who shot himself while handcuffed in the back seat of a Trumbull County sheriff's cruiser has been ordered to serve five years' probation.
During a brief sentencing hearing Monday, Judge Peter Kontos of Trumbull County Common Pleas Court also sentenced Kevin Spina to six months of house arrest and ordered him to stay out of Newton Falls.
Spina pleaded guilty in July to one count of burglary and two counts of attempted burglary. He declined to comment.
Arrested
Spina and a juvenile female, who Spina says is his girlfriend, were arrested around 8 p.m. Dec. 8 at the Warren Township police station on charges of breaking and entering. The two had agreed to cooperate with Detective Donald Hyde of the sheriff's department and went with the deputy to pinpoint break-in sites.
Hyde, who was suspended earlier this year for 60 days for failing to notice that Spina was attempting to kill himself, could not be reached to comment.
Hyde had told internal affairs investigators that he searched Spina before placing him in the cruiser. He said that Spina was placed in the back seat of the cruiser and the juvenile was sitting in the front seat.
Sheriff Thomas Altiere has stated that Hyde did not properly handcuff Spina. Spina's hands were handcuffed in front of him, instead of in back.
Stolen merchandise
The three drove to Newton Township and stopped beneath a turnpike overpass to grab a pillowcase that Spina said contained stolen merchandise, Hyde had stated in a report to internal affairs.
Hyde placed the pillowcase in the back seat with Spina. Spina said in his statement to sheriff's officials that Hyde did not ask him what was in the bag.
Spina told officials that he got a gun out of the bag, placed it in his mouth and fired.
Spina spent several days in an Akron hospital being treated for his injuries, officials said.
Hyde, 50, has been a Trumbull County deputy for 27 years.
sinkovich@vindy.com