Ten people charged with murder of Black inmate: Reports

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: Agencies
17 Mar 10:25
1 Shares

The people involved include sheriff deputies and medical workers.

A demonstrator holds a flag during a protest against racial injustice, in Compton, California, June 21, 2020. (Reuters)

Seven sheriff deputies and three medical workers were charged by the US State of Virginia with the second-degree murder of a 28-year-old Black inmate, Irvo Otieno, who presumably died due to asphyxiation, as media reported.

Otieno was transported from Henrico County jail to a local psychiatric facility by the Henrico County sheriff's office deputies. The US broadcaster CBS News reported that he became combative during the admission process.

The patient died shortly after he was restrained.

A surveillance video reportedly showed Otieno's torturing, and it will serve as evidence in the case which resulted in the detention of 10 people who were connected with his death. The video has not been published.

"A key element of that evidence is the surveillance video from Central State Hospital that captures the intake process," Dinwiddie County Commonwealth's Attorney Ann Cabell Baskervill said in a statement cited by the broadcaster on Thursday.

The report added that the preliminary report by the Office of Chief Medical Examiner identified asphyxiation as a possible cause of death of Otieno.

A grand jury is scheduled to meet next week to determine the charges and finalize them.