Family Seeks Federal Probe into Death of Man Pinned During Psychiatric Intake

Lawyers for the family of Irvo Otieno, a 28-year-old Black man who died after being restrained for 11 minutes during intake at a Virginia psychiatric hospital, are requesting the U.S. Department of Justice investigate his death as his family believes the charges of second-degree murder against the deputies and hospital workers involved will not be adequately prosecuted.
Otieno died after being pinned to the floor for 11 minutes while being admitted to Central State Hospital during a mental health crisis.
The former county prosecutor filed second-degree murder charges against seven sheriff's deputies and three hospital workers in Otieno's death but dropped charges against two defendants before resigning last week.
Otieno's family says the replacement prosecutor lacks experience to properly pursue the charges.
Otieno was taken into custody for a mental health emergency and died during the intake process at the psychiatric facility.