Oxford News

OXFORD —A 24-year-old Chicago man remains in critical condition at University Hospital in Cincinnati on Monday, two days after Oxford police struck him with a Taser stun gun.

Kevin Piskura, a 2006 Miami University graduate, was stunned by police following a bar fight at Brick Street Bar around 2 a.m. on Saturday, April 19. Piskura was taken to McCullough-Hyde Memorial Hospital in Oxford following the incident, but later was flown to University for further care.

The incident was captured on both audio and video tape, as all Tasers used by the Oxford Police Department record the footage upon deployment. Police have formed an internal use of force review to investigate the incident, in addition to working with Butler County Prosecutor Robin Piper to conduct an independent review.

Piper will follow-up on the findings of Oxford police, giving an independent opinion on their internal investigation. Oxford police will provide him with a copy of their revie, in addition to all of the evidence they weigh in making their assessment.

He anticipates beginning his review late this week, though was not sure of how long it might take to complete. He said he is hesitant to set a timetable.

Piper noted that reviews of this nature are not commonplace in Butler County, saying he felt Oxford Police requested this one because of the injuries.

"While he said it could be extremely beneficial to have the audio and video footage from the taser, he warned it could wind up being trivial as well.

"I don't know if it's 8 seconds or 18 seconds," Piper said. "Sometimes half of what you hear is inaudible, so I can't give an opinion on that yet."

Police responded to reports of a fight between Steven Gene Smith of Mundelein, Ill., and an employee escorting him out of the bar. Piskura allegedly intervened when police attempted to arrest Smith and began to fight with an officer and Brick Street staff.

Both men were warned police would use Tasers on them if they did not stop fighting, at which point police said only Smith complied with their demands. The officer reportedly deployed the Taser after several additional warnings, striking Piskura in the chest with the device's barbs.

Piskura reportedly collapsed on the street and was handcuffed by police, with officers noting he seemed to have trouble breathing.

Police have yet to release the name of the officer who deployed the Taser, but said they will do so pending completion of the review process.

Contact this reporter at (513) 523-4139,

E

xt. 86102, or at rgauthier@coxohio.com.

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