Surveillance video capturing Irvo Otieno’s final moments shows at least ten Virginia police officers and medical workers surrounding and piling on top of the handcuffed 28-year-old man until he was rendered inert.
otieno he was immobilized for about 11 minutes before he could be seen not to move, according to the washington post, which obtained video of the altercation that ended in his death. He took place March 6 inside the Central Virginia State Hospital, where she was admitted as a patient around 4 p.m.
Otieno was escorted to the medical center by deputies from the Henrico County Sheriff’s Office. They arrested him earlier in the day while he was responding to reports of a robbery.
Surveillance video begins inside the hospital, with officers forcing Otieno forward as medical personnel follow. He is later seen on a time-stamped video at around 4:19 p.m. when he is taken to the hospital’s admitting area.
A group of Henrico County deputies can be seen carrying him into the room and then forcing him to sit on the floor. Two officers then hold him down with his back against a seat.
Just before 4:30 p.m., Otieno appears to be moving, prompting more officers to pounce on him. At one point, they seem to lose control over him and a fight ensues. At one point, up to 10 people are holding Otieno.
Medical staff members were also in the room, some helping to subdue the patient.
Minutes after officers released Otieno’s limp body at around 4:40 p.m., workers can be seen applying chest compressions and using a defibrillator.
State investigators “were told that he had become combative during the admissions process. Otieno, who was physically restrained, died during the admission process,” the prosecution said. He “died of suffocation due to being suffocated,” attorney Ann Cabell Baskervill said at a court hearing earlier this month.
Seven Henrico County deputies have been charged with second-degree murder in connection with her death. Three hospital employees have also been charged.
