Charges Downgraded for Three in Death of Irvo Otieno at Virginia Hospital

Prosecutors reduce charges from second-degree murder to involuntary manslaughter in the high-profile case involving the death of a man in mental distress.

• Irvo Otieno, a 28-year-old Black man, died of asphyxia while being restrained at Central State Hospital in March 2023.
• Initially, ten people were charged with second-degree murder; charges against seven were later dropped.
• The remaining three defendants, two sheriff’s deputies and a hospital worker, now face involuntary manslaughter charges.
• The case has drawn significant attention and calls for reforms in mental health and law enforcement practices.
• Otieno's family has criticized the reduction of charges and the handling of the case by prosecutors.

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