Racial discrimination claimed in case against former Warren cop

WARREN

Former Warren Patrolman Reuben Shaw had handcuffs placed on his wrists and police officers escorting him Wednesday in Trumbull County Common Pleas Court.

Shaw, 48, after pleading not guilty to grand theft, theft in office and breaking and entering, was taken in handcuffs to the Trumbull County Clerk of Courts office to make arrangements to post the $2,500 bond set by Judge Peter Kontos.

Shaw is charged with the three felony offenses and two misdemeanor charges, accused of stealing a 1969 Chevrolet Nova from the locked garage of a vacant home on Kenwood Drive Southwest in June 2013 by having it towed to a garage over which he has control.

Police Chief Eric Merkel fired Shaw, a 24-year veteran, May 2 after an investigation by the Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation.

Several pastors who are part of the Trumbull County Interdenominational Ministerial Alliance, and several others spoke after the hearing to question the fairness of Shaw’s firing and charges.

The Rev. Phillip Shealey, pastor of Greater Apostolic Faith Church in Warren, said the group of about a dozen men had come to court Wednesday “to make sure justice is served and that there is equal action for everybody” and to “make sure justice is served to [Shaw] rightfully.”

The Rev. Mr. Shealey said he and others have questions as to why Shaw was fired and charged criminally when “a lot of cases [involving other Warren police officers] were much more severe than what we’re dealing with right now.

“And all they amounted to, pretty much, was a slap on the hand with those officers, and they got their job back, and some even got promotions.”

Shaw’s father, Eddie Shaw, said he thinks his son was selectively prosecuted because of racial discrimination.

Read more about the case — and those contentions — in Thursday's Vindicator or on Vindy.com.