The mother of Irvo Otieno, a Virginia man who died after being pinned to the floor by sheriff’s deputies and hospital staff members for over 10 minutes during his admission to a psychiatric hospital, expressed anger over the withdrawal of murder charges against five sheriff’s deputies involved in the incident. Ten individuals initially faced charges in Otieno’s death, but charges were later dropped against two hospital employees. Dinwiddie County Commonwealth Attorney Amanda Mann filed motions to dismiss charges against the remaining deputies and hospital staff, citing trial order issues as the reason for her actions. Otieno’s family and their lawyers disagreed with Mann’s decision and called for the Department of Justice to intervene in seeking justice for Otieno.
The charges were dropped against the deputies in connection with the incident that led to Otieno’s death on March 6, 2023, at the Central State Hospital in Dinwiddie County. Otieno had a history of mental health issues and was under police custody following a possible burglary call. He became physically aggressive toward officers and was ultimately restrained by a group of sheriff’s deputies and hospital staff for nearly 11 minutes, resulting in his death being ruled a homicide by asphyxiation. Surveillance video of the incident showed deputies forcing Otieno to the floor and then restraining him until he died. Charges still remain against two deputies and one hospital employee involved in the incident.
Despite the withdrawal of charges against the deputies, the charges are still pending against two sheriff’s deputies, Brandon Edward Rodgers and Kaiyell Dajour Sanders, along with hospital employee Wavie Lavon Jones. Attorneys for the deputies whose charges were dropped expressed satisfaction with the decision, stating that it was based on evidence and the law. However, Irvo Otieno’s family and their lawyers believe all those initially charged share the same level of responsibility in the incident that led to his death. They questioned the need for excessive force used against Otieno, considering he was already in a mental health hospital and posed no immediate threat to those restraining him during his admission.
Caroline Ouko, Irvo Otieno’s mother, called the withdrawal of charges a “radical, reckless decision with great ramifications for justice” and urged the Department of Justice to intervene in seeking justice for her son. The family’s legal team, led by attorneys Mark Krudys and Benjamin Crump, expressed disappointment in the decision to drop charges against the deputies but remains hopeful that justice will be served for Irvo Otieno. The Justice Department confirmed receipt of requests to investigate Otieno’s death and stated that it is closely monitoring the state criminal case without further comment at this time. Ouko and her lawyers continue to advocate for accountability and justice for her son, hoping that those involved in his death will be held responsible.
The tragic death of Irvo Otieno highlights issues surrounding the use of force in mental health facilities and raises questions about the accountability of law enforcement officers and hospital staff in such situations. The family’s calls for justice and the Department of Justice’s involvement underscore the importance of ensuring that individuals with mental health issues are treated with care and dignity, even when they may exhibit challenging behavior. The withdrawal of charges against the majority of those involved in Otieno’s death adds to the family’s anguish and frustration, emphasizing the need for a thorough investigation and accountability for those responsible. As the case continues to unfold, the pursuit of justice for Irvo Otieno remains at the forefront of his family’s efforts, seeking closure and accountability for his untimely passing.
