Three Virginia hospital workers faced murder charges on Thursday in connection with the death of Irvo Otieno, who passed away in a state mental health facility last week. Ann Cabell Baskervill, the Commonwealth’s Attorney, revealed that a preliminary report from the chief medical examiner’s office confirmed that asphyxiation was the cause of Otieno’s demise.
Video footage from Central State Hospital depicted deputies employing brutal force, pressing down on every part of Otieno’s body with excessive aggression. Prosecutors also highlighted that one officer’s knee remained on his neck for 12 minutes shortly after his admission to the state hospital.
Representing Otieno’s family, an attorney stated that the video and additional evidence unveiled instances of torture during his transfer from jail to the state mental hospital. The videos showcased Otieno in shackles, handcuffed, and restrained on the ground under the weight of seven individuals.
The case came to public attention when Otieno’s family lawyers and his mother reviewed security footage from Henrico County Jail. The footage revealed Otieno being taken out of a cramped cell with unsanitary conditions and subsequently handcuffed by five deputies. He was then carried by his arms and legs before being moved to the hospital.
Carolina Ouko, Otieno’s mother, expressed her belief that her son was treated worse than an animal. Known for his compassionate nature, strong belief in equality, and love for hip-hop music, Otieno’s mother called for accountability and the establishment of specialized mental health response teams to handle similar cases.
