Five former corrections officers are facing a combination of assault, manslaughter, and murder charges over the December 8, 2023 death of Othel Moore Junior, a former inmate at a maximum security prison in Jefferson City, Missouri, according to newly released indictments.
The officers were part of a Corrections Emergency Response Team (CERT) at the Jefferson City Correctional Center, specially trained units designed to handle violent prison situations.
A former inmate at the correctional center witnessed officers creating the circumstances that led to Moore's death during a routine cell search. The inmate described officers pepper-spraying Moore, forcing him into handcuffs, and using a restraint chair and a spit mask on him.
Moore pleaded for help and stated he couldn't breathe before being transferred to the prison hospital wing, where he was pronounced dead.
The indictment details the charges against the officers, including second-degree murder, assault, and involuntary manslaughter, for their actions that led to Moore's death.
In response to the charges, the Missouri Department of Corrections has discontinued the use of the restraint system involved in Moore's death and implemented body-worn cameras in maximum-security prisons for enhanced security and accountability.
Following internal and independent investigations, 10 individuals involved in the incident, including the charged officers, have been terminated.
Moore's family has filed a federal civil lawsuit against the officers, the former prison warden, and the previous director of the Missouri Department of Corrections, alleging negligence and misconduct.
The charges have been described as historic and unprecedented by the attorneys representing Moore's family, emphasizing the severity of the case.
The incident is part of a concerning trend in the Missouri prison system, with a significant increase in deaths from 2020 to 2023 despite a decrease in the incarcerated population.
Advocacy groups like Missouri Prison Reform are closely monitoring the situation and advocating for transparency and accountability within the state's prison system.
Overall, the case highlights the need for reforms and oversight to prevent similar tragedies in the future.
