DINWIDDIE, Va. (WRIC) — Video obtained by 8News shows the moments leading up to the death of Irv Atien.
Henrico County Sheriff’s deputies transported Atien, 28, to Central State Hospital in Dinwiddie County just before 4:00 p.m. on Monday, March 6. Virginia State Police, who are leading the investigation, said Atieno became belligerent when he was admitted.
The video shows deputies and hospital staff restraining Atien — who is handcuffed and ankle-shackled — and pinning him to the ground for about 12 minutes before he loses consciousness and eventually dies.
Randy Joseph Boyer, 57; Duane Alan Bramble, 37; Branch Germain Lavar, 45; Bradley Thomas Disse, 43; Tabitha Renee Lever, 50; Brandon Edwards Rogers, 48; and Kaiyell Dajour Sanders, 30; appeared in Dinwiddie County District Court via video chat on Wednesday, March 15. charged with second degree murder.
The three Central State Hospital employees are Darian M. Blackwell, 23, of Petersburg; Wavey L. Jones, 34, of Chesterfield; and Sadarius D. Williams, 27, of North Dinwiddie – were is also charged with second-degree murder in a couple of days.
“In the Central State video, you see at least a knee to the body, and that’s — we’ve seen that before as a country,” said Commonwealth’s Attorney Dinwiddie Ann Baskerville during the trial. “He was held on the ground, pinned to the ground for 12 minutes by all seven of our defendants who have been charged here.”
Baskerville told reporters that she intended release the video of Atien’s death on Tuesday after a grand jury hearing.
The defenders had the opportunity to review the video recording on Monday, March 20. attorneys for at least two defendants demanded that Commonwealth’s Attorney Dinuidy stop the release of the video.
“We have filed a motion to protect the integrity of the trial by prohibiting the parties from making public statements or releasing information that could affect the right to a fair trial,” wrote Doug Ramser, a lawyer representing Wavey Jones, one of three employees of the Central Public Prosecutor’s Office.
This is a developing story, 8News will release more information and videos as they are reviewed in good faith.