A Virginia judge has signed off on a prosecutor’s request to withdraw charges against five more people in connection with the 2023 death of Irvo Otieno, a young man who was pinned to the floor for about 11 minutes while being admitted to a state psychiatric hospital.
Judge Joseph Teefy of Dinwiddie Circuit Court on Sunday approved the prosecutor’s motion to nolle prosequi — or effectively drop for now — the case against five sheriff’s deputies, according to court records. The prosecutor could still seek to renew the charges, attorneys involved with the matter said.
The move means prosecutions are now actively pending for just three of the 10 Henrico County deputies and Central State Hospital workers initially charged with second-degree murder in Otieno’s death, which was captured on video that sparked outrage and calls for mental health and law enforcement reforms.
They shared a name — but not a future. How two kids fought to escape poverty in Baltimore
Russia hits vast dam in war's largest strike on Ukrainian energy infrastructure, Kyiv says
'Devastated': Widow pleads for late husband’s dream to be realised
Officials advise softer is better when it comes to boot camps
Biden speaks with Netanyahu as Israelis appear closer to major Rafah offensive
Chubby Hearts Hong Kong: Gov't gave HK$7.8 million for installation
Police Minister admits NZ cannot compete with Australian recruitment offer
Department of Conservation proposes 130 job cuts
Bank Holiday washout! Met Office issues nine
China news: Mystery as Xi Jinping unexpectedly skips key speech
Anaheim Ducks goaltending coach Sudarshan Maharaj declared cancer
Hong Kong's Messi mess: A distraction from more important things