Case of Struthers cop charged with domestic violence heads to court

By jeanne starmack

starmack@vindy.com

struthers

The case of a city police officer charged with domestic violence heads back to court this week.

There will be a status hearing at 1 p.m. Wednesday at Struthers Municipal Court, said a spokeswoman from the city’s law office.

Richard Craig, 33, was charged in May with domestic violence after a complaint from his wife.

He pleaded innocent May 13 and was put on paid leave.

He returned to work Aug. 8, said Police Chief Tim Roddy.

Roddy said Craig was allowed to return after being cleared in a psychological evaluation at Allied Behavioral Health Services. The city has a contract with the private counseling agency, Roddy said. Craig was required to attend the counseling.

Craig was accused in May of screaming at his wife and threatening members of her family. His wife told police he’d been drinking since 1 p.m. May 12, and arguments about family matters escalated at times during the day.

After 9 p.m., the police report said, Craig screamed at his wife and kicked furniture. He threatened to kill members of her family with his AK-47, indicating he would do it in front of her so she would have to watch.

Read the full story Monday in The Vindicator and on vindy.com.