On Thursday, three workers at a psychiatric hospital in Virginia were charged with second-degree murder. This was in relation to the death of Irvo Otieno. He died after being smothered while in custody.
Those apprehended and charged have been identified as Wavie Jones, 34, Sadarius Williams, 27, and Darian Blackwell, 23. They were all employed at Central State Hospital.
Seven deputies with the Henrico County Sheriff’s Office were charged with second-degree murder on Tuesday.
On March 6, Otieno, a 28-year-old Black man, had been taken to the facility and died after being admitted. He had gotten there about 4 p.m., and state authorities were summoned to investigate his death a little more than three hours after that, the prosecutor noted.
Officials say that Otieno was physically restrained during the incident, and state police were told that the man was trying to fight them off.
A medical examiner’s preliminary findings showed that the cause of death was asphyxia. An autopsy will be performed for confirmation.
Prosecutors note that surveillance video from Central State Hospital and other evidence led to the arrest of Jones, Williams, and Blackwell. That video hasn’t been publicly released.
Otieno had been under an emergency custody order after he was connected to a possible robbery, authorities disclosed after his death. He had been charged with assault on a law enforcement officer and disorderly conduct in a medical facility.
Now, prominent attorney Ben Crump has stepped in and is representing the family.
Wow. On march 6 everyone in that building should have been put on lock down. Glad they got those wicked ppl
That law enforcement officer needs to be locked up too shoot. He probably told them folks to do it🙄. U know these police don’t like ppl messing with they cop buddies or feel like they can get away with stuff like. Be acting gay n stuff. If i was them i snitch my ass off🙄