In the month of December, four Missouri jail officers have been accused of murder while one has been charged with involuntary manslaughter. In his complaint filed on Friday, it is indicated that Moore was pepper-sprayed, had a mask put on his face and left in a position causing him to suffocate while at the correctional facility.
On December 8th, 2023, guards from the Department of Corrections Emergency Response Team were conducting a sweep for contraband in one of the housing units. During the search, Moore was pepper sprayed twice then put into a spit hood which was made by wrapping legs with leg wraps and restraining them to a chair. Thereafter he was moved into another house unit where he stayed on for thirty minutes under those conditions despite many people hearing him say I can’t breathe several times. Finally Moore was taken to an infirmary wing where his demise took place.
The cause of death as maintained by medical examiner is positional asphyxia and these events were captured by surveillance cameras in prison. According to Cole County prosecuting attorney Locke Thompson, “After sitting down and reviewing all evidence, the dozens and dozens of interviews, all the reports, we determined that charges were appropriate.”
According to attorney Andrew Strouth who represents Othel’s family, this incident could be considered as “George Floyd 3.0 in prison” adding that there is also alleged pattern of racial bias and unlawful treatment throughout Missouri Department Of Corrections especially at Jefferson City Correction Center.
Justin Leggins is listed along with Jacob Case who are connected with Aaron Brown or Gregory Varner each facing two counts; second-degree murder and accessory to second-degree assault. A fifth defendant named Bryanne Bradshaw has been charged with one count accessory to involuntary manslaughter. If convicted for felony murder they may get sentences ranging between ten years up to thirty years.
Moore’s family has sued both officers involved as well as the Department of Corrections alleging that the attack on Moore was not an isolated incident but rather a part of a cruel pattern and practice perpetuated by high level members of the Missouri department of corrections.
