Prosecutor: 2 Indianapolis police officers indicted in death of Herman Whitfield III

Sarah Nelson and Ko Lyn Cheang, Indianapolis Star
Updated ·5 min read
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Two Indianapolis police officers were indicted by a grand jury for their roles in the death of Herman Whitfield III nearly a year ago, Marion County Prosecutor Ryan Mears announced Thursday.

Five Indianapolis Metropolitan Police officers and a recruit trainee were called to Whitfield’s parents' home 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 episode. Whitfield died shortly after arriving at a hospital.

The results of an autopsy for Whitfield, who was 39 years old, determined his death was a homicide and further ruled he died from heart failure while under law enforcement restraint.

Adam Ahmad was indicted on charges of involuntary manslaughter, reckless homicide, battery resulting in serious bodily injury, battery resulting in moderate Injury and battery.

More: Indy clergy, family of Herman Whitfield III ask Dept. of Justice to investigate IMPD

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.

Steven Sanchez has been indicted on charges of two counts of involuntary manslaughter, reckless homicide, battery resulting in serious bodily injury, battery resulting in moderate injury and 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.

More: DOJ asked to investigate Indy police. That's unlikely to happen, says ex-fed prosecutor

Both Ahmad and Sanchez had less than three years working with the Indianapolis police department at the time of Whitfield's death. The officers involved, including Ahmad and Sanchez, remain on paid administrative duty status, IMPD 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.

"The merit of these allegations will ultimately be determined through due process in a court of law and we ask the public to allow that process to play out," the statement read. "The officers look forward to a full and fair opportunity to defend themselves in court and establish that they did not act illegally or with any type of criminal intent."

Kautzman's statement added that Ahmad and Sanchez have no prior criminal or disciplinary history.

Kautzman declined to speak on record about the officers' actions on the night of Whitfield's death.

Ahmad and Sanchez are set to be arraigned Friday morning.

Gladys Whitfield looks down at a photo of her late son, Herman Whitfield III, during a press conference on Thursday, April 13, 2023, in reaction to the indictment of the Indianapolis police officers who killed him 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.

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."

The grand jury's indictment allows criminal cases against the officers to proceed and is not an indication of guilt. Assistant Chief of Police Chris Bailey said the "entire investigative file" by the Critical Incident Response team was handed over last year for review to the prosecutor's office. The prosecutor's office then decides who the targets are for the grand jury.

The prosecutor's office would not say if the other officers involved had cases presented to the grand jury.

Video: Herman Whitfield III's mother told police she was concerned officers would kill son

The grand jury includes six jurors and one alternate who live in the county and are selected by the Marion County Superior Court. People are summoned for grand jury duty in the same way as residents who are picked for regular jury duty.

Grand jurors must all agree on the decision to indict or the case is dropped or "no-billed."

In the hours after the grand jury announcement, state lawmakers began to comment about the indictment. 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.

Gladys Whitfield holds the arm of her husband Herman Whitfield Jr. during a press conference on Thursday, April 13, 2023, in reaction to the indictment of the Indianapolis police officers who killed their 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.

"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.

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. "Too often in the past, police officers who took it upon themselves to act as judge, jury and executioner have never faced justice. 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."

IndyStar's Jen Guadarrama and John Tufts contributed to this report.

Contact IndyStar reporter Sarah Nelson at 317-503-7514 or sarah.nelson@indystar.com

Contact IndyStar reporter Ko Lyn Cheang at kcheang@indystar.com or 317-903-7071. Follow her on Twitter: @kolyn_cheang.

This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: 2 Indianapolis officers indicted in death of naked, unarmed man