Prosecutor requests to have charges dropped for 5 of 8 people charged in Irvo Otieno’s death

DINWIDDIE COUNTY, Va. (WRIC) — Five of the eight people who were charged with second-degree murder in connection to Irvo Otieno’s death could essentially have their charges dropped.

Dinwiddie County Commonwealth’s Attorney Amanda Mann confirmed to 8News that she filed nolle prosequi — or “unwilling to prosecute” — motions on Friday, May 3, for five Henrico County Sheriff’s Deputies charged in Otieno’s death, which took place at Central State Hospital on March 6, 2023.

Those five deputies are Randy Boyer, Dwayne Bramble, Jermaine Branch, Bradley Disse and Tabitha Levere, according to Mann.

A judge will still have to approve the motions for these deputies to have their charges dismissed.

Should these motions be approved, only three of the ten people initially charged in Otieno’s death will still face charges. Those people are Henrico deputies Kaiyell Sanders and Brandon Rodgers, as well as Central State Hospital employee Wavie Jones.

Charges were previously dropped for hospital employees Sadarius Williams and Darian Blackwell in June 2023.

8News asked Mann for the reasoning behind her decision to file these motions. Mann said she “awaits the court’s decision.”

Russ Stone, Bramble’s defense attorney, said he is thankful for Mann’s decision to potentially drop his client’s charges. According to Stone, he appreciates that Mann as “willing to look at the actual evidence and law” regarding Bramble’s case.

This is a developing story, stay with 8News for updates.

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