Investigation into Niles police shooting nears end

Matthew Burroughs killed outside his apartment during early January incident

WARREN -- The investigation into the shooting death of Matthew Burroughs by two Niles police officers should be completed within the next 45 days, Trumbull County Prosecutor Dennis Watkins said Monday.

"My office has been involved in the determination of 10 police shootings over the last 25 years," Watkins said. "The investigations can range from three to four months to six to eight months. The goal is to be complete and thorough."

Burroughs, 35, a resident of the Royal Mall apartments, was shot as he returned home from Niles Municipal Court on Jan. 2. Two Niles police officers -- James Reppy and Christopher Mannella -- are on paid administrative leave with the department while the investigation continues.

The two men had gone to the apartment complex seeking to arrest Burroughs on a warrant.

Police said Burroughs struck a court officer with an open car door as he fled Niles Municipal Court earlier that day, according to police reports. Burroughs, according to police descriptions, drove toward officers, who "perceived a threat to their safety and fired their service weapons," Niles police Chief Jay Holland said previously.

No weapon was found inside the car. His death was ruled a homicide by the coroner's office.

Watkins said it is not unusual for an independent law enforcement agency to handle the investigation of an officer-involved shooting and turn over its findings to the prosecutor's office to determine whether the shooting should move forward to a grand jury or be dismissed.

The Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation agreed to do the investigation into the Niles shooting.

"If the shooting is determined to be justifiable, we will present a written report with all of the evidence collected," Watkins said. "If we determine there is enough evidence to go to the grand jury, then it will be up to the court what to release."

Watkins said BCI has turned over evidence and interviews collected to his office.

"Often we have additional work done," Watkins said. "That does not mean there is a difference between our office and the BCI. We have a very good working relationship. We want to make sure it is complete.

"Those who are not satisfied with our conclusions have the option to go to the federal system or file a civil lawsuit," Watkins said.

The Rev. Todd Johnson of Second Baptist Church in Warren, who has been part of a group pushing for the release of information, expects the community and the Burroughs family will be pleased the investigation will be concluded soon.

"However, people are concerned about conflicting statements that have come out since the time of the shooting," Johnson said. "That can breed a sense of distrust."