Richmond, Va. (Newsradiowrva.com) - Senator Tim Kaine has commented on the death of Irvo Otieno on March 6, as well as his reaction to the footage of the incident that has since been released.
Kaine called Otieno's death "horrific," and described the video as chilling, "even with no sound." Kaine offered condolences to Otieno's family, and said that Otieno's death in Central State Hospital points to major flaws in mental health treatment centers in Virginia and beyond.
Virginia needs more trained mental health providers, according to Kaine, instead of tasking law enforcement with also providing mental health care. "We can't rely on law enforcement to be the front line," he said, adding that people in mental health crisis shouldn't be treated as a risk to public safety.
