7 sheriff’s deputies from Henrico County, Virginia, along with 3 hospital employees, have been charged with second-degree murder in the March 6 death of 28-year-old Irvo Otieno. Otieno died of asphyxiation while being physically restrained during his admission to local mental health facility Central State Hospital, a local prosecutor said during a Wednesday court hearing.
According to Dinwiddie County Commonwealth’s Attorney Ann Cabell Baskervill, Otieno was handcuffed, placed in leg shackles, and held on the ground for 12 minutes by at least 7 sheriff’s deputies.
‘He died of asphyxia due to being smothered to death, thanks to having at least 7 people, including the defendant, on top of him and holding him down,’ Baskervill said at the hearing.
She also said the entire incident was captured on video, which depicts ‘deliberate and cruel’ treatment.
Mark Krudys, an attorney for Otieno’s family, said, ‘The family is truly grief-stricken after learning of the brutal nature of Irvo’s death and his inhumane treatment in the hours preceding his death. The public, and experienced mental health professionals alike, will be appalled when the facts of this case are fully made known.’
The 7 deputies involved in the incident turned themselves in Tuesday, and the hospital workers were reportedly arrested Thursday, according to Baskervill's office.
Corinne Geller, a Virginia State Police spokesperson, said an investigation into the incident is ongoing.
