SHERIFF DREW ALEXANDER RELEASES THE MARK MCCULLAUGH INVESTIGATION

UNTIL THE RECENT SETTLEMENT OF THE CIVIL CASE REGARDING THE IN-CUSTODY DEATH OF MARK MCCULLAUGH, I HAVE BEEN UNABLE TO PUBLICLY ADDRESS THE SUBJECT WITHOUT INFLUENCING ONGOING LITIGATION.  THE CIVIL MATTER HAS NOW BEEN SETTLED.  FIVE SUMMIT COUNTY DEPUTIES WERE INITIALLY CHARGED IN THIS MATTER.  THE MOST SERIOUS CHARGE OF MURDER WAS TRIED BEFORE JUDGE INDERLIED AND THAT DEPUTY WAS ACQUITTED.  CHARGES AGAINST THE OTHER FOUR DEPUTIES WERE DISMISSED.

       ON NOVEMBER 25, 2009, THE HONORABLE  U. S. DISTRICT JUDGE JOHN ADAMS GRANTED A MOTION FOR THE DISMISSAL OF ALL CIVIL CLAIMS AGAINST THE FIVE SUMMIT COUNTY DEPUTIES.

PRIVATE COUNSEL WAS RETAINED TO REPRESENT THE SHERIFF’S OFFICE IN THE CIVIL CASE INVOLVING THE IN-CUSTODY DEATH OF MARK MCCULLAUGH, DUE TO THE SUMMIT COUNTY PROSECUTOR’S OFFICE CONFLICT OF INTEREST.   THE SUMMIT COUNTY EXECUTIVE’S OFFICE WAS ASKED TO ASSIST PRIVATE COUNSEL IN PREPARING FOR THE CIVIL LITIGATION.  TO THAT END, LINDA MURPHY,  AN ATTORNEY WITH THE SUMMIT COUNTY EXECUTIVE’S LAW DEPARTMENT, WAS DIRECTED TO ASSIST THAT PRIVATE COUNSEL IN PREPARING THE DEFENSE.  I AM RELEASING THE INVESTIGATION AND TRIAL PREPARATION WORK DONE BY ATTORNEY LINDA MURPHY IN THAT REGARD.

       I REMAIN SYMPATHETIC TO THE FAMILY OF MARK MCCULLAUGH, BUT AFTER REVIEWING THE CRIMINAL AND CIVIL INVESTIGATIONS INTO THIS MATTER, I AM FIRMLY CONVINCED THAT THE FIVE DEPUTIES ACCUSED IN THIS MATTER DID NOT VIOLATE PROCEDURES OR LAWS.             

THE TRIAL ACQUITTAL, UNDER JUDGE INDERLIED, A HIGHLY REGARDED AND RESPECTED RETIRED JUDGE,  DISMISSAL OF CRIMINAL CHARGES AND DISMISSAL OF CIVIL CLAIMS GIVE STRONG EVIDENCE TO MY BELIEF.

SHERIFF DREW ALEXANDER

COUNTY OF SUMMIT

CONTACT:     SHERIFF’S OFFICE AT 330-643-2498

Administration / Operations · 53 University Ave. · Akron, Ohio 44308-1679
Phone 330-643-2181 · Fax 330-434-2701
Summit County Jail · 205 East Crosier Street · Akron, Ohio 44311-2351
Phone 330-643-2171 · Fax 330-253-4138