Liberty students return from Cleveland trip early

• Students in the Liberty Middle School choir are returning from a trip to Cleveland early.

NEWARK – Students in the Liberty Middle School choir are returning from a trip to Cleveland early as a precaution.

About 50 students left Newark on Saturday morning to visit the Cleveland Metroparks Zoo and attend a Cleveland Indians game, said Seth Roy, community outreach coordinator.

They spent time at the zoo, but teachers and administrators decided not to attend the baseball game, which started at 4:10 p.m.

On Saturday morning, Cleveland Police Officer Michael Brelo was acquitted of charges of voluntary manslaughter in the shooting deaths of two unarmed people after a high-speed car chase in 2012.

Peaceful demonstrations have been taking place in the downtown area in response to the verdict and some have blocked roads.

After speaking with Superintendent Doug Ute and Liberty Middle School administrators, staff members decided to cut the trip short.

Students stopped for a meal on the way home, and Liberty parents received two phone calls to update them on the situation, Roy said.

The students were expected to return to Newark around 6 p.m. Saturday.