Scioto County Prosecutor Shane Tieman called for patience in the investigation into the death of Kevin Bailey. “It would not be just to rush to judgment or present at trial an incomplete case. An investigation and subsequent review will take as long as it needs to in order to ensure a just outcome, and hopefully not a second longer.”
This comes after Bailey’s sister, Karen Skaggs, told Scioto County Daily News that a deputy had been fired in connection with her brother’s death.
Different Stories
Kevin Bailey, 56, died from injuries suffered while he was an inmate at the Scioto County Jail. Initially, the Sheriff’s Office said Bailey was injured when he ran away from guards and fell into an open door.
Bailey was transported to a Columbus hospital and later died. His sister told us he suffered a fractured skull and broken ribs. Multiple sources from inside the jail came forward to claim that Bailey was assaulted by jail guards for being mouthy.
The Investigation
The Ohio Attorney General’s Office Bureau of Criminal Investigation took over the investigation and Karen Skaggs began a campaign for what she called, “Justice for Kevin.”
Skaggs was frustrated by the lack of communication from the Sheriff’s Office, though she did speak with Prosecutor Tieman.
The Meeting
Ms. Skaggs and her supporters marched to the Scioto County Jail on Thursday and were finally able to meet with Sheriff Donini. Bailey’s sister chose not to attend the meeting but did send a representative in her place.
She shared with me what that representative was told during the meeting.
- For the first time, Sheriff Donini acknowledged that the incident occurred.
- The Sheriff also confirmed that other jail personnel and inmates gave statements confirming the version of events we reported by our sources.
- None of the 55 cameras inside the jail captured the incident.
- A deputy was fired in connection with the incident.
- This case will now head to Scioto County Prosecutor Shane Tieman
Tieman Urges Patience
We’ve been unable to confirm any of this information with the Sheriff’s Office, but Shane Tieman confirmed that the meeting did take place. He couldn’t comment on whether a deputy had been fired.
Tieman said legally he can’t talk about details of the investigation but said, “I have remained in contact with Sheriff Donini and BCI. We have received the Sheriff’s internal investigation. I am waiting on BCI to submit the written reports and other evidence on their investigation. There may be some items that are not ready yet, but as soon as I have the case in, I will begin reviewing the matter.”
The prosecutor also called for patience. “It’s important to keep in mind that we have an outside agency that is conducting the investigation. These agents do not work in a vacuum. They have to travel back and forth to our county from other areas. They also have other matters across the state or at least region that they are investigating, so sometimes it takes longer than people wish. Likewise, my office has to review the evidence, determine appropriate charges, identify weaknesses in the case, and anticipate defenses.”