Irvo Otieno died in the hands of the police after he was arrested following a report made to the police by a number against him. 

According to his mother Caroline Ouko, Otieno was suffering from mental distress and all he needed was specialised treatment.

Ouko says she contacted her son's psychiatrist to arrange for special movement to a mental health facility where he would be treated, but before the psychiatrist could make any move, their house was surrounded by police after the neighbours accused Otieno of stealing. 

The police are said to have handcuffed him and moved him to Henrico Doctors' Hospital on March 3, and later to Henrico Jail. It was here at the jail that 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 a court was told that they smoothered Otieno leading to his death. 

According to Dinwiddie County Commonwealth’s Attorney Ann Cabell Baskervill, the seven officers held the 28-year-old on the ground for 12 minutes while he was in handcuffs and leg irons.

She added that there is video evidence clearly showing the officers torturing Otieno.

Mark Krudys, the lawyer for his family said in a statement: "The family is grief stricken after learning of the brutal nature of Irvo’s death and his inhumane treatment in the hours preceding his death."

This comes at a time when US police have been put on the spotlight for using excess force or violence against blacks in the US.