2 Indianapolis police officers face manslaughter charges in death of Herman Whitfield III
Sarah Nelson and Ko Lyn Cheang, USA TODAY NETWORK
INDIANAPOLIS — Two Indianapolis police officers were indicted by a grand jury for their roles in the death of a Black man who died nearly a year ago after being taken into police custody, prosecutors announced Thursday.
The indictment of officers Steven Sanchez and Adam Ahmad follows a federal civil lawsuit filed in June by Herman Whitfield III's family against the city of Indianapolis and six police officers over the 39-year-old pianist’s death.
Five Indianapolis Metropolitan Police officers and a recruit trainee were called to Whitfield’s parents' home on April 25, 2022. During that interaction, police tased and handcuffed him naked and face down on the ground while he was in the throes of a mental health crisis. Whitfield died shortly after arriving at a hospital.
The results of an autopsy for Whitfield determined his death was a homicide and further ruled he died from heart failure while under law enforcement restraint.
Sanchez was indicted on two counts of involuntary manslaughter, while Ahmad was indicted on one count, Marion County Prosecutor Ryan Mears said in a news release. Both were also indicted on charges of reckless homicide, battery resulting in serious bodily injury, battery resulting in moderate injury and misdemeanor battery.
Whitfield's family through their attorney on Thursday thanked the prosecutor and grand jury.
"The family is grateful that the criminal process will proceed and hope that justice for their son will prevail," their statement said. They noted they will continue with the pending federal civil lawsuit against the city of Indianapolis and officers who responded to their home, as well as their calls to the U.S. Department of Justice to investigate Whitfield III's death.
Sarah Nelson and Ko Lyn Cheang, USA TODAY NETWORK
INDIANAPOLIS — Two Indianapolis police officers were indicted by a grand jury for their roles in the death of a Black man who died nearly a year ago after being taken into police custody, prosecutors announced Thursday.
The indictment of officers Steven Sanchez and Adam Ahmad follows a federal civil lawsuit filed in June by Herman Whitfield III's family against the city of Indianapolis and six police officers over the 39-year-old pianist’s death.
Five Indianapolis Metropolitan Police officers and a recruit trainee were called to Whitfield’s parents' home on April 25, 2022. During that interaction, police tased and handcuffed him naked and face down on the ground while he was in the throes of a mental health crisis. Whitfield died shortly after arriving at a hospital.
The results of an autopsy for Whitfield determined his death was a homicide and further ruled he died from heart failure while under law enforcement restraint.
Sanchez was indicted on two counts of involuntary manslaughter, while Ahmad was indicted on one count, Marion County Prosecutor Ryan Mears said in a news release. Both were also indicted on charges of reckless homicide, battery resulting in serious bodily injury, battery resulting in moderate injury and misdemeanor battery.
Whitfield's family through their attorney on Thursday thanked the prosecutor and grand jury.
"The family is grateful that the criminal process will proceed and hope that justice for their son will prevail," their statement said. They noted they will continue with the pending federal civil lawsuit against the city of Indianapolis and officers who responded to their home, as well as their calls to the U.S. Department of Justice to investigate Whitfield III's death.
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Summary
Two Indianapolis police officers, Steven Sanchez and Adam Ahmad, face manslaughter charges for their roles in the death of Herman Whitfield III. The indictment follows a federal lawsuit filed by Whitfield's family in June. Police tased and handcuffed Whitfield, 39, during a mental health crisis at