A Kenyan family living in the United States is in mourning after their son was allegedly tortured by police.
Irvo Otieno died in police custody after being arrested in response to a report made by a number against him.
Otieno was suffering from mental distress, according to his mother Caroline Ouko, and all he needed was specialized treatment.
Ouko claims she contacted her son’s psychiatrist to arrange for special transportation to a mental health facility where he would be treated, but before the psychiatrist could act, their home was surrounded by police after neighbours accused Otieno of stealing.
On March 3, police allegedly handcuffed him and transported him to Henrico Doctors’ Hospital, then to Henrico Jail.
The family suspects Otieno was tortured by the police and later rushed to the Central State Hospital, where he died.
Seven police officers who handled him are now facing second-degree murder charges after it was revealed in court that they smoothed over Otieno, which led to his death.
According to Dinwiddie County Commonwealth’s Attorney Ann Cabell Baskervill, the seven officers handcuffed and leg ironed the 28-year-old for 12 minutes.
She went on to say that there is video evidence of the officers torturing Otieno.
