Family of Irvo Otieno calling for federal investigation for a third time
RICHMOND, Va. (WRIC) – The family of Irvo Otieno is making their third and final plea to the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) to open a federal investigation into his 2023 in-custody death in Dinwiddie County. On Monday morning, Caroline Ouko, the mother of Irvo Otieno along with her family and legal team took to Richmond's Federal Courthouse to call on federal investigators to open an investigation into his death. “The United States Department of Justice, we bring this case today to your doorstep. We believe that only you have the capacity and resources to successfully prosecute all those originally indicted in my son's death," said Ouko. Otineo's family and legal team shared their message just days after sending a letter to the DOJ asking its civil rights division to look into the circumstances surrounding his death on March 6, 2023. This is the third time Otieno's legal team has requested help from the DOJ. The letter points to several reasons they feel the Dinwiddie County Commonwealth Attorney's Office fell short during trial leading to a not guilty verdict for former Central State Hospital worker Wavie Jones. “All we wanted was a fair trial where the resources on each side would be the same and there'd be similar vigor going forward so that the truth would percolate to the surface. That did not occur, and that's why we're here," said Mark Krudys, Otieno family attorney. "The time to get involved was 18 months ago." Before going into this trial, Otieno's family and legal team believed Dinwiddie County lacked adequate resources and the appointed prosecutors were inexperienced in these types of cases. The Otiano family attorneys and Ouko say their fears were confirmed during Jones' trial, where they believe Otieno was dehumanized, his mental health treatment wasn't addressed and there was a lack of expert witnesses from the prosecution. “They had all the evidence on video but squandered the opportunity to present a fulsome professional case," said Ouko. Otieno's legal team also criticized current Dinwiddie County Commonwealth's Attorney Amanda Mann for her ability to cross examine as the defense presented several newly-admitted videos into evidence claiming Otieno was aggressive. “If you really believe in this case, why aren't you standing up Mrs. Mann and making the arguments in connection with us? Why aren't you presenting this with vigor? Why don't you have corresponding experts so we can hear from your side in addition to just to the defense?" said Krudys. Krudys says they have not heard of any promising steps being made by the DOJ to open an investigation. "We just feel that this case requires a far more aggressive, appropriately resource response than the Dinwiddie County Commonwealth's attorney is able to provide," said Krudys. 8News reached out to Dinwiddie Commonwealth's Attorney Amanda Mann multiple times about the claims Otieno's family and legal team have made and has not heard back.
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RICHMOND, Va. (WRIC) – The family of Irvo Otieno is making their third and final plea to the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) to open a federal investigation into his 2023 in-custody death in Dinwiddie County.
On Monday morning, Caroline Ouko, the mother of Irvo Otieno along with her family and legal team took to Richmond's Federal Courthouse to call on federal investigators to open an investigation into his death.
“The United States Department of Justice, we bring this case today to your doorstep. We believe that only you have the capacity and resources to successfully prosecute all those originally indicted in my son's death," said Ouko.
Otineo's family and legal team shared their message just days after sending a letter to the DOJ asking its civil rights division to look into the circumstances surrounding his death on March 6, 2023. This is the third time Otieno's legal team has requested help from the DOJ.
The letter points to several reasons they feel the Dinwiddie County Commonwealth Attorney's Office fell short during trial leading to a not guilty verdict for former Central State Hospital worker Wavie Jones.
“All we wanted was a fair trial where the resources on each side would be the same and there'd be similar vigor going forward so that the truth would percolate to the surface. That did not occur, and that's why we're here," said Mark Krudys, Otieno family attorney. "The time to get involved was 18 months ago."
Before going into this trial, Otieno's family and legal team believed Dinwiddie County lacked adequate resources and the appointed prosecutors were inexperienced in these types of cases.
The Otiano family attorneys and Ouko say their fears were confirmed during Jones' trial, where they believe Otieno was dehumanized, his mental health treatment wasn't addressed and there was a lack of expert witnesses from the prosecution.
“They had all the evidence on video but squandered the opportunity to present a fulsome professional case," said Ouko.
Otieno's legal team also criticized current Dinwiddie County Commonwealth's Attorney Amanda Mann for her ability to cross examine as the defense presented several newly-admitted videos into evidence claiming Otieno was aggressive.
“If you really believe in this case, why aren't you standing up Mrs. Mann and making the arguments in connection with us? Why aren't you presenting this with vigor? Why don't you have corresponding experts so we can hear from your side in addition to just to the defense?" said Krudys.
Krudys says they have not heard of any promising steps being made by the DOJ to open an investigation.
"We just feel that this case requires a far more aggressive, appropriately resource response than the Dinwiddie County Commonwealth's attorney is able to provide," said Krudys.
8News reached out to Dinwiddie Commonwealth's Attorney Amanda Mann multiple times about the claims Otieno's family and legal team have made and has not heard back.
