Richmond, Va. (Newsradiowrva.com) -- The family of Irvo Otieno addressed the public once again, this time at First Baptist Church of South Richmond.
Surrounded by family, friends, and lawyers, Otieno's mother and brother delivered emotional messages following the news that all ten people charged following Irvo Otieno's death had been indicted by a grand jury. The family and their lawyers -- local Mark Krudys and nationally-known civil rights lawyer Benjamin Crump -- expressed that, though they were pleased by the indictment, their focus remains on legislative action.
"I'm not angry anymore," said Otieno's older brother Leon Ochieng. "I've gotten past anger. I am now tasked with an emotion to connect with the community, to speak with local jurisdictions, to talk to our councilpeople -- to be disruptive, but not violent. [To] make it the first thing they look at before they have coffee in the morning."
Otieno's mother, Caroline Ouko, remembered him as caring, gentle, and thoughtful. She echoed the desire for legislative change and stated her desire to ensure that every individual involved in the days leading up to Otieno's death be brought to justice.
Both Ochieng and Crump brought up their hopes that legislation would be passed to address mental health responses in Virginia. Both referred to the hypothetical new legislation as "Irvo's Law."
Seven Henrico Sheriff's Deputies and three Central State Hospital Employees have been charged with second-degree murder in relation to Otieno's death. Despite attempts from several Defense lawyers to prevent the Dinwiddie Commonwealth Attorney from releasing security footage of the incident, video was obtained by the Washington Post earlier today. Footage from the Henrico County jail has reportedly been obtained as well.