RICHMOND, Va. –– Nationally renowned civil rights and personal injury attorney Ben Crump and co-counsel Mark Krudys have been retained by the family of Irvo Otieno, a 28-year-old Black man who died in the custody of the Henrico County Sheriff’s Department.
On March 6, 2023, Irvo Otieno was killed during the intake process as he was transferred from a Henrico County jail to a state mental health facility by the Henrico County Sheriff’s Department. According to prosecutors, Otieno was in handcuffs and leg irons and was held on the ground for 12 minutes by the seven deputies, smothering him to death. Seven Henrico County Sheriff’s deputies have been arrested and charged with second-degree murder.
The family and their attorneys will view video of the vicious attack on March 16.
Attorney Crump issued the following statement:
“It is truly shocking that nearly three years after the brutal killing of George Floyd by police, another family is grieving a loved one who allegedly died in nearly the exact same manner –– being pinned down by police for 12 agonizing minutes. The family has not yet seen the video, but what has been described to us paints a heinous and inhumane image.
“We are encouraged that these officers have been charged and arrested, but this is just the first step of what will be a long and painful journey. We will continue to lift the family in prayer as we seek full justice for Irvo.”
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ABOUT BEN CRUMP LAW
Through his work, nationally renowned civil rights and personal injury attorney Ben Crump has spearheaded a legal movement to better protect the rights of marginalized citizens. He has led landscape-changing civil rights cases and represented clients in a wide range of areas including civil rights, personal injury, labor and employment, class actions, and more. Ben Crump Law is dedicated to holding the powerful accountable. For more information, visit bencrump.com.
