A Virginia judge has signed off on a prosecutor’s request to withdraw charges against five more people in connection with the 2023 death of Irvo Otieno, a young man who was pinned to the floor for about 11 minutes while being admitted to a state psychiatric hospital. Judge Joseph Teefy of Dinwiddie Circuit Court on Sunday approved the prosecutor’s motion to nolle prosequi — or effectively drop for now — the case against five sheriff’s deputies, according to court records. The prosecutor could still seek to renew the charges, attorneys involved with the matter said. The move means prosecutions are now actively pending for just three of the 10 Henrico County deputies and Central State Hospital workers initially charged with second-degree murder in Otieno’s death, which was captured on video that sparked outrage and calls for mental health and law enforcement reforms. |
Chinese investment in Africa hits $1.8b in 1st half of 2023Interview: BRI cooperation with China boosts infrastructure connectivity in Africa: AU officialChina's ShenzhouChina to expand visaBare mountains turn green again through ecological restoration in SW China's SichuanRwandans honor fallen politicians as genocide commemoration week endsInterview: Expert says U.S. interest rate hikes causing ripple effects in developing countriesInterview: Expert says U.S. interest rate hikes causing ripple effects in developing countriesEgypt on alert for possible gas ship leakage in Gulf of Aqaba: ministryExplainer: What to expect from AU summit as education, development take center stage