Chesterfield, Va. (Newsradiowrva.com) - There were multiple calls for better handling of mental health issues Wednesday at the funeral of Irvo Otieno. Otieno died March 6th at Central State Hospital, and ten people, seven Henrico Sheriff's Deputies and three Central State Hospital employees, face murder charges in his death.
Otieno's mother, Caroline Ouko, says this is not what she envisioned when her son went to the hospital, and for that, she says she is sorry. The Reverend Al Sharpton gave the eulogy, and said if law enforcement wasn't ready to handle the mental health crises Otieno was facing, they should not have answered the call. He also called on Governor Glenn Youngkin (R), who proposed a large mental health package in December, to do more.
Sharpton vowed to return for the trials. The funeral was held at the church where former Richmond Mayor Dwight Jones is senior pastor.