1:30pm

Thu March 15, 2012
Statewide News

Ohio Court Upholds Police Rescue of Suicidal Man

Credit jcaputo4

The Ohio Supreme Court has upheld the actions of police officers who pulled over a suicidal man, then
took his gun from the glove compartment without a warrant.

The court says an exception to the Fourth Amendment for people providing emergency aid allows officers to make a traffic stop if they believe a person's life is in danger.

The court ruled 6-1 Thursday that Vandalia officers acted properly when they pulled over a truck driven by Richard Dunn in 2008 after getting a phone tip that he had a weapon and planned to kill himself.

Dunn fought a charge later filed against him of improperly handling a firearm in a motor vehicle, arguing the traffic stop was unconstitutional and officers didn't read him his rights.