Dinwiddie County, Va. (Newsradiowrva.com) - The first trial in connection with the 2023 death of Irvo Otieno ended with an acquittal on Thursday, Oct. 3.
Former Central State Hospital employee Wavie Jones had been charged with involuntary manslaughter. Two Henrico deputies face the same change, and there is no word as to whether those cases will move forward.
Ten hospital workers and deputies were initially charged with second degree murder, but seven saw the charges dropped and the others’ charges were reduced.
Otieno, a 28-year-old Black man, died while in police custody. His death led to calls for mental health system changes in Virginia.
It took the jury less than 30 minutes to unanimously decide to acquit Jones. In the courtroom, Otieno’s mother – Caroline Ouko – shouted that it was a “miscarriage of justice.”
