Death of Irvo Otieno in Virginia
Second-degree murder charges against two sheriff’s deputies and a hospital worker have been reduced to involuntary manslaughter in the death of a mentally ill man, Irvo Otieno, who was pinned to the floor for about 11 minutes while being admitted to a state psychiatric hospital.
Key Points
- Irvo Otieno, a 28-year-old Black man, died in March 2023 after being restrained by Henrico County sheriff's deputies and hospital workers during admission to Central State Hospital.
- Charges against 10 people were initially second-degree murder, but charges against seven people were withdrawn, leaving only three facing prosecution.
- The state medical examiner's office ruled Otieno's death a homicide due to 'positional and mechanical asphyxia with restraints.'