2 Indianapolis police officers face manslaughter charges in death of Herman Whitfield III

Sarah Nelson and Ko Lyn Cheang, USA TODAY NETWORK
Updated ·4 min read
23

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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Gladys Whitfield (center), joined by family and lawyers, speaks during a press conference on Thursday, April 13, 2023, in reaction to the indictment of the Indianapolis police officers who killed her son, Herman Whitfield III, nearly a year ago. On April 25, 2022, five IMPD officers and a recruit trainee were called to Whitfield’s parents' home. Police tased and handcuffed him, naked and face down on the ground, while he was in the throes of a mental health episode. Whitfield died shortly after arriving at a hospital.

Lawsuit claims officers 'crushed' Whitfield

Both Ahmad and Sanchez had less than three years working with the Indianapolis police department at the time of Whitfield's death.

The lawsuit filed by Whitfield’s family claims responding officers used a stun gun on him and then “crushed the breath out of an unarmed, non-violent” man. The suit also alleges that the officers ignored Whitfield’s cries of “I can’t breathe.”

The responding officers previously said Whitfield was experiencing a mental health issue and needed an ambulance. According to police, the officers tried negotiating with Whitfield, using de-escalation tactics for more than 10 minutes before Whitfield moved quickly toward an officer.

“The officer activated the Taser twice and the man continued to resist,” police said in a news release at the time.

The officers involved, including Ahmad and Sanchez, remain on paid administrative duty status, the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department said in a prepared statement.

"Mr. Whitfield's death was a tragedy for all involved and our thoughts continue to be with those impacted by his loss," the statement said, noting Police Chief Randal Taylor "respects the grand jury process."

The attorneys for Ahmad and Sanchez, John F. Kautzman and Edward Merchant, released a statement noting that the charges only represent probable cause to hold a trial and are not proof of guilt.

Kautzman's statement added that Ahmad and Sanchez have no prior criminal or disciplinary history. Kautzman declined to speak on the record about the officers' actions on the night of Whitfield's death.

Ahmad and Sanchez are set to be arraigned Friday morning.

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Family, lawmakers speak out on grand jury's decision

Whitfield's family spoke to media Thursday afternoon and said they were pleased with the grand jury's decision, adding the indictments were "a long time coming."

"It's been our opinion that the defendants still have not been transparent," said Gladys Whitfield, who stood close beside her husband, Herman Whitfield Jr., and held onto his arm. "Even though they promised transparency, all they have delivered is obliqueness and darkness and deception."

In the hours after the grand jury announcement, state lawmakers began to comment about the indictment. Indiana State Rep. Gregory Porter, D-Indianapolis, who represents Whitfield's parents, called his death an example of when de-escalation training should have been in place.

"While nothing can undo the pain Whitfield's family has experienced from his death, I'm glad the family is getting some sense of justice through these indictments," his statement said.

Indiana State Rep. Earl Harris J., D-East Chicago and chair of the Indiana Black Legislative Caucus, said the caucus will be closely monitoring the cases and said his thoughts are with Whitfield's family.

"The indictment of two of the six officers involved in Mr. Whitfield's death signals a changing tide in policing and community," his statement said. "If we want to maintain the integrity of policing and the integrity of the vast majority of officers who joined the force to protect and serve their communities, we must ensure that those who break that pledge face the consequences."

Contributing: Jen Guadarrama and John Tufts, IndyStar; The Associated Press

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY NETWORK: Herman Whitfield III case: 2 police officers face manslaughter charges