A review of the conduct of
three former Bay City Police Department officers during a May 1 incident at
Steamer’s Pub in Bay City has led to two of the officers being charged with
crimes and one facing no charges.
The Midland County
Prosecutor’s Office agreed to review the investigation as special prosecutor
after it was determined a conflict existed with the Bay County prosecutor.
Midland County Prosecutor
Erik S.H. Wallen said the charges come after “an intensive review of a detailed
investigation by a number of agencies” into the incident at the pub, located at
108 N. Linn St. The officers involved were Keath Bartynski, Donald Aldrich and
Brian Ritchey.
“I believe in the integrity
of the criminal justice system which fundamentally assumes that no one is above
the law, including these officers,” Wallen said.
Bartynski faces two
charges: public official-willful failure to uphold the law, which is a one year
and/or $1,000 misdemeanor, and assault and battery, a 93 day and/or $500
misdemeanor.
Aldrich also was charged on
two counts: larceny from $200 to $1,000, which is a one year and/or $2,000
misdemeanor, and disorderly conduct-drunk, a 90 day misdemeanor.
No charges have been filed
against Ritchey.
“While I believe Officer
Ritchey used poor judgment and failed to comply with police departmental rules
and protocols, no criminal charges are being issued against him,” Wallen said.
“ In addition, Officer Ritchey has been cooperative with authorities and has
provided critical information of the events in question.”
Wallen said that the
complaints contain only charges and are not proof of the defendants’ guilt. A
defendant is presumed innocent and is entitled to a fair trial in which it is
the State’s burden is to prove their guilt beyond a reasonable doubt, Wallen
said.
