Cleveland police officer pleads not guilty in Parma shooting case

CLEVELAND - Cleveland police officer David Mindek, 41, pleaded not guilty to dereliction of duty in the Cuyahoga County Court of Common Pleas Tuesday morning for his role in the fatal shooting of a Parma man.

Mindek is accused of failing to help Cleveland police officer Matthew Craska apprehend Daniel Ficker, 27. Craska shot and killed Ficker after the two got into a physical fight at Ficker's home on Wareham Drive on July 4, 2011. Mindek and Craska had gone to Ficker's home to question Ficker about a possible burglary at Mindek's home. A grand jury exonerated Craska of any wrongdoing in the shooting.

The judge issued Mindek a $5,000 bond in court Tuesday morning. His next court date is April 3.

Dereliction of duty is a second-degree misdemeanor. If convicted, Mindek would still be able to work as a police officer, according to Pat D'Angelo, an attorney for the Cleveland Police Patrolmen's Association.

Ficker's mother, Bernadette Rolen, was "disgusted" a grand jury Craska cleared of wrongdoing. Her family plans to file a civil suit against both officers.