Two Indianapolis police officers were acquitted on Friday of all charges related to the death of Herman Whitfield III, a 39-year-old man who died in April 2022 after being shocked with a Taser and restrained by officers at his parents’ home.
Jurors Reach Verdict After Brief Deliberations
Officers Adam Ahmad, 32, and Steven Sanchez, 35, faced charges including involuntary manslaughter, reckless homicide, and battery in connection with Whitfield’s death. The jury deliberated for less than three hours before delivering the not guilty verdicts after five days of trial testimony.
“We felt that they acted appropriately under very difficult circumstances and we’re really happy they were exonerated,” said the defense attorneys, Seth Levine and Daniel Alonso, in a statement after the verdict.
Background of the Incident
On April 25, 2022, Whitfield’s parents called 911 to report that their son was in the midst of a mental health crisis at their Indianapolis home. When officers arrived, they used a Taser on Whitfield and restrained him face down on the floor of the dining room while attempting to handcuff him. He was later pronounced dead at a hospital.
The Marion County Coroner’s Office ruled Whitfield’s death a homicide caused by heart failure due to the restraint and Taser use. Contributing factors were listed as morbid obesity and hypertensive cardiovascular disease.
Prosecution and Defense Arguments
The prosecution argued that the officers acted recklessly by restraining Whitfield in a face-down position for an extended period, which contributed to his inability to breathe. Prosecutor Daniel Cicchini told the jury, “Essentially, his heart and lungs could no longer function properly.”
However, the defense contended that Whitfield’s underlying health conditions, including an enlarged heart, contributed to his death. They argued that neither officer had committed a criminal act and that Whitfield’s death occurred before the handcuffing process was completed.
Public Reaction and Future Legal Action
Marion County Prosecutor Ryan Mears expressed his sorrow for Whitfield’s family, stating he was “heartbroken” by the outcome. The Whitfield family’s attorney, Richard Waples, has not yet commented on the verdict.
While the criminal charges were dismissed, the Whitfield family has filed a civil lawsuit against the city of Indianapolis and the officers involved, alleging excessive use of force and seeking unspecified damages. The lawsuit is set to go to trial in federal court in Indianapolis in July 2025.
Officer Reinstatement and Official Reactions
Following the acquittal, both Ahmad and Sanchez, who have been on administrative duty throughout the trial, will resume their normal duties after completing refresher training. Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department Chief Chris Bailey expressed condolences to Whitfield’s family and praised the professionalism of the officers who testified during the trial. He emphasized the difficulty of such cases, noting that “there are no true winners.”
