Seven Deputies and Three Hospital Employees Charged with Second-Degree Murder in Death of Irvo Otieno

A Virginia prosecutor has released surveillance video of the events leading to the death of Irvo Otieno, a mentally ill man who died in police custody. The video, taken from the Central State Hospital in Dinwiddie County, Virginia, shows Otieno being escorted into the admission room at 4:19 p.m. on March 6.

Otieno is seen in the video bound by his hands and feet, and is dragged into an upright seated position on the floor with his back against a chair. After being led to a chair, at least two officers are seen holding Otieno on the ground, reacting when he moves.

Ten minutes later, after Otieno has turned onto his side with three people holding him, his body jerks, and five more deputies and workers move to pin him down. Four minutes later, more officers and hospital staff arrive to restrain him.

Dinwiddie County Commonwealth’s Attorney Ann Cabell Baskervill has charged seven sheriff’s deputies and three hospital employees with second-degree murder, telling CNN last week, “They smothered him to death.”

The death of Irvo Otieno has sparked outrage and calls for justice. The surveillance video provides a glimpse into the events leading up to his death, and the investigation into the incident is ongoing.