Extra requires justice got here Wednesday at a funeral for 28-year-old Irvo Otieno, who died March 6 whereas in police custody at a psychiatric hospital in Virginia.
JUANA SUMMERS, HOST:
Mourners gathered at a church outdoors Richmond, Va., this afternoon to recollect Irvo Otieno. The service drove dwelling a fuller portrait of the 28-year-old Black man who was killed in custody at a psychiatric hospital earlier this month. Ben Paviour from member station VPM in Richmond was there and joins us now. Ben, if you happen to may, inform us a bit bit concerning the service and the way individuals there honored Otieno.
BEN PAVIOUR, BYLINE: Nicely, there have been in all probability a pair hundred individuals available at First Baptist Church of South Richmond. The service was a mix of prayer and calls to motion. It included hovering moments with a full gospel choir that introduced the gang to their toes, and so they performed a video tribute over a rap Otieno wrote beneath the title Younger Vo.
(SOUNDBITE OF MUSIC)
IRVO OTIENO: (Rapping as Younger Vo) …Rock the cargo, rising as much as be a person. In case you’re my fam, be my fam. Sorry if I misplaced you with my plan.
PAVIOUR: Family and friends described Otieno as a gifted athlete and prolific musician with an enormous smile and infectious giggle. Otieno’s mom, Caroline Ouko, described her son as a deeply loving individual, from his household to his pup named Popi.
(SOUNDBITE OF ARCHIVED RECORDING)
CAROLINE OUKO: After I took my son to the hospital, this isn’t what I envisioned. I did not assume my son was not coming dwelling. However, son, that is the place we’re, (crying) and I am sorry.
PAVIOUR: She mentioned he would relaxation not simply in peace, however in energy. And that was a sentiment we heard quite a bit, that Otieno’s demise wouldn’t be in useless.
SUMMERS: And, Ben, to that time, did you hear any particular requires change or justice throughout the service?
PAVIOUR: Nicely, to again up for a second, as you realize, Otieno was killed whereas he was being admitted to Central State within the midst of a multi-day psychological well being disaster. He was pinned to the bottom by seven sheriff deputies and three hospital workers whereas he was handcuffed and his toes have been shackled, and he by no means obtained up once more. All 10 individuals have been charged for his demise by an area prosecutor, who mentioned they smothered Otieno to demise.
In Otieno’s eulogy, Reverend Al Sharpton linked the younger man’s demise to systemic failures in Virginia’s psychological well being techniques. He urged Republican Governor Glenn Youngkin to push for reforms, but in addition mentioned the boys concerned wanted to be held accountable.
(SOUNDBITE OF ARCHIVED RECORDING)
AL SHARPTON: This boy wasn’t hurting no one. He had a illness, an sickness. And if you weren’t geared up or educated to take care of the sickness, then you shouldn’t have confirmed as much as reply the decision.
(APPLAUSE)
PAVIOUR: Civil rights lawyer Ben Crump referred to as for psychological well being courts in Virginia, one thing that exists in California and New York. He mentioned Otieno wanted scientific therapy and by no means ought to have spent a weekend in jail. It is value noting that even earlier than Otieno’s demise, Youngkin did push for a further $230 million in psychological well being funding. That features disaster groups that would intervene earlier than somebody results in a hospital. And Youngkin despatched representatives to the funeral.
SUMMERS: Ben, what comes subsequent on this case?
PAVIOUR: The ten suspects within the demise at the moment are all out on bail. Their hearings start on the finish of April and early Might. In hearings, legal professionals for the boys who’ve been charged have tried to distance themselves from what occurred. Some have argued their purchasers had no concept how extreme the state of affairs was, that they simply wished to restrain any person who’d been unruly. Otieno’s household and attorneys say there is not any method to justify what they did.
SUMMERS: Ben Paviour from member station VPM in Richmond, Va. – thanks.
PAVIOUR: Thanks.
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