Family of Kenyan Man Irvo Otieno Who Died in US Police Custody Paid Ksh1.2 Billion
The family of Irvo Otieno, a Kenyan man who died while being restrained by seven police officers at a mental facility in Virginia, USA, has reached a settlement with the state in the amount of Ksh1.2 billion ($8.5 million USD).
Otieno, whose family claimed he suffered from mental illness, was handcuffed and bound at the legs by seven detectives, who held him down for approximately 11 minutes until he became mute.
His death was deemed a homicide by the detectives.
According to the Washington Post, the prosecution in Virginia State had charged seven detectives and three hospital employees with second-degree murder.
However, they withdrew all charges against two hospital staff members.
According to the prosecution, the remaining eight suspects were to be held accountable for Otieno’s murder.
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The defense counsel, on the other hand, argued that Otieno was combative and in a tense mood, leading the police to restrain him for his safety and those of the workers at the hospital.
The state county and sheriff’s office denied their actions caused Otieno’s death and did not acknowledge liability in the settlement. However, they consented to pay the settlement fee.
His death prompted widespread outrage over the treatment of an African detainee by law enforcement.
His death was also compared to that of George Floyd by the Minneapolis police. Critics at the time pointed to shortcomings in how detectives dealt with mentally ill patients.
Caroline Ouko, the mother of Otieno, stated that she had raced to get him medication on March 3, 2023, but found that he had been restrained by the officers and booked into jail.
According to the authorities, Otieno became combative with the officers and was transported to the Henrico County jail. Three days later, on March 6, he was readmitted to Perham Doctors’ Hospital, where he died.
Family of Kenyan Man Irvo Otieno Who Died in US Police Custody Paid Ksh1.2 Billion