Cincinnati's police union is defending eight officers implicated last week in the 2000 death of Roger Owensby Jr., with officials saying it's particularly ridiculous to accuse officers who arrived late on the scene of failing to report a use of force against a suspect.

In his first extensive comments, Fraternal Order of Police Vice President Keith Fangman blasted the city for its handling of the matter, saying it “doesn't bode well for a positive relationship between our police officers and the new city administration.”

“It appears to be a shotgun approach,” Officer Fangman said, “to appease, once again, the militant vocal minority.”

City Manager Valerie Lemmie released two reports last week — one by the department's Internal Investigations Section, the other by the city's Office of Municipal Investigation — accusing eight officers of charges including improper use of force, failure of good behavior and neglect of duty in the death at police hands.

Two of the eight — former Officer Robert “Blaine” Jorg and current Officer Patrick Caton — also were accused of improper securing and transportation of a suspect. Another, Victor Spellen, is accused of dishonesty. The other officers are David W. Hunter Jr., Jason Hodge, Darren Sellers, Abraham Lawson and Brian Brazile.

Officer Fangman said Officer Lawson, for example, merely stood nearby and kept the crowd away from the gas station parking lot where Mr. Owensby died following a short police chase Nov. 7, 2000. Yet Officer Lawson is among the officers accused of failing to help Mr. Owensby as he died from asphyxiation.

None of the officers have received the city paperwork officially notifying them of the allegations. Until that happens, their administrative hearings will not be scheduled. Those hearings will be conducted by Capt. Andrew Raabe, District 3 commander.

“It's just a matter of ensuring that it's done appropriately the first time,” said Capt. James Whalen, department spokesman. “We don't want any allegations later of any impropriety.”

Officer Jorg is the only one who can't face discipline. He resigned from the force in March.

E-mail jprendergast@enquirer.com

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