Two months after 5 Memphis PD officers uncivilly killed 29-year-old Tyre Nichols from police brutality, there is another call for justice. This time, for the unlawful death of 28-year-old Virginia man Irvo Otieno. 10 people (7 police officers and 3 mental hospital members [9 men and 1 woman]) were charged with 2nd-degree murder for killing Otieno at a mental hospital in Richmond. 2 weeks ago, Otieno was transferred from prison to a state psychiatric hospital after he was charged with burglary. Otieno suffered from mental health problems. Police and hospital workers were pinning and pressing him down, claiming he was “aggressive.” Otieno was cuffed both on his hands and feet. But violent action went on for 11 minutes before his disturbing demise. Before that, another video showed Otieno punched and pepper-sprayed in jail. 2 of those 10 indicted people claimed that they were “not guilty” by their attorneys. Other lawyers insist that if the video is released, jurors will swoon toward a guilty verdict. Now demands for justice grow more significant, as his mother, Caroline Ouko, wants it more for his son.
In an interview with the PBS NewsHour*, Ouko and Civil Rights attorney Ben Crump opened up on Otieno and the nearly 11 minutes of the violent act. Ouko mentioned that he was brilliant, a peacemaker, a good listener, loved his family, and was a proud resident of Richmond. At his death, Ouko said his son was orderly while talking and asking questions. Crump added that Otieno was in mental distress at that point. Asked if the 2nd-degree charges on those 10 people were correct, Crump first shared his outrage on why Otieno was smothered to death by excessive force for 11 minutes. He also questioned why people of color who suffer from mental issues aren’t getting proper cognitive treatment and are fatally treated as criminals. He added that her mother said he was not nasty and mentally distressed before Otieno left. Regardless, Ouko said the punishment was just for what she said, smothering Otieno to death when she said his son was not a threat. For Ouko, her hope isn’t just justice for his son but also some changes in the mental health system, a mobile response team, and proper mental training personnel.
On Wednesday, there were new evidence of video footage and a 911 call. According to the new video, the 7 deputies charged Otieno’s, dragged him, pepper-sprayed and attacked him, and hauled him into a police SUV. In addition, there was a 911 call in Dinwiddie, as the caller proclaimed an emergency at the Center State Hospital. The dispatcher asks if this was a cardiac arrest, and the caller replies yes. However, the attorney claimed otherwise, saying it was death by “suffocation.” The 911 call was made after Otieno’s death. Caleb Kershner, the lawyer for disgraced sheriff’s deputy Randy Boyer, said Boyer did nothing, nor did he have contact with Otieno. However, according to the video, there were deputies on top of Otieno, leaning him against the chair and disturbingly causing escalations. Otieno’s death has eventually ruled a homicide. An autopsy revealed that he died of asphyxia.
If you or a loved one suffers a mental crisis, please log on to the National Alliance on Mental Illness’s website here. Remember, you are not alone. But it is despicable what happens to someone impacted by mental health. To Irvo Otieno’s family (if you are reading this), please note that your son didn’t deserve to die like this. Mental health is supposed to be treatable, not punishable.
*Newstime is NOT associated with the PBS NewsHour
Newstime with Sophia Melki 