December 10th 2024.
Adam Ahmad and Steven Sanchez, two Indianapolis police officers, were recently on trial for charges of involuntary manslaughter, reckless homicide, and misdemeanor battery in relation to the death of Herman Whitfield III in 2022. The trial lasted for weeks and on December 6th, the two officers were acquitted of all charges.
According to The New York Times, Ahmad and Sanchez were the responding officers to a call for a wellness check on Whitfield, who was reportedly experiencing a mental health crisis. The call was made by Whitfield's mother, Gloria, and when the officers arrived, they found the 39-year-old walking around her house completely naked.
Bodycam footage from the incident showed Whitfield running and one of the officers deploying a taser, causing him to fall to the ground. The officers then proceeded to handcuff Whitfield, with one of them pushing his face into the floor. In the footage, Whitfield can be heard saying "I'm dying" and expressing that he couldn't breathe. The officers later performed CPR on Whitfield, but he unfortunately passed away.
It wasn't until almost a year later that the officers were indicted and the full, unedited bodycam footage was released to the public. This was a result of repeated requests from Whitfield's family for transparency. They also called for the termination of up to six officers from the department.
Marion County Prosecutor Ryan Mears released a statement saying, "In April 2022, Herman Jr. and Gladys Whitfield reached out for help, hoping that the police would protect their son in a moment of desperate need, and the result of what ensued was a tragedy." During the trial, the chief trial deputy for the Marion County Prosecutor's Office argued that the officers acted recklessly by restraining Whitfield for longer than necessary, ultimately causing his death.
Despite these arguments, the jury ultimately acquitted Ahmad and Sanchez of all charges. As per department protocol, the officers were placed on administrative leave after their indictment but will now be allowed to return to their normal duties after completing a refresher course.
This acquittal may not be the end of the legal battle for Whitfield's family, as they still have a civil suit set to begin in July 2025 seeking unspecified damages. The suit claims that Whitfield's death was a result of "unreasonable and excessive" force and argues that he needed professional mental health care, not force.
The tragic death of Herman Whitfield III during a mental health crisis has sparked important conversations about the use of force by law enforcement and the need for better mental health resources. While the acquittal of the officers may have brought some closure to the legal aspect of this case, it is clear that Whitfield's family and the community will continue to seek justice and push for change.
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