Cleveland Police Interviewed About Seymour Avenue Rescue: Video

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Interviews conducted with Cleveland police officers were posted publicly this week. The video reveals the narrative that unraveled as officers arrived at 2207 Seymour Avenue May 6.

The video, in which Detective Jennifer Ciaccia interviews Officer Anthony Espada, Officer Barbara Johnson and Officer Michael Tracy, is embedded below.

Their stories recount the initial dispatch that sent them toward Seymour Avenue. Upon arrival, the large crowd forming in the street and on sidewalks portended major discoveries. Espada describes his trip into the home, where he first encountered Michelle Knight.

"As we were going up the steps, it was so quiet - like peaceful," Espada says. Knight burst out of a second-floor bedroom and embraced the officer. Within a few seconds, he adds, a second girl came out of the bedroom.

"My name is Georgina DeJesus," he recalls the woman telling him.

"It took everything to hold myself together," Espada says amid tears.


About The Author

Eric Sandy

Eric Sandy is an award-winning Cleveland-based journalist. For a while, he was the managing editor of Scene. He now contributes jam band features every now and then.
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