INDIANAPOLIS — Two Indianapolis police officers have been found not guilty on all counts in connection to the 2022 in-custody death of a Black man who was shocked with a Taser during a mental health crisis.
IMPD officers Adam Ahmad and Steven Sanchez were indicted by a grand jury in April 2023 in Herman Whitfield III’s 2022 death. Both were charged with involuntary manslaughter, reckless homicide, battery resulting in serious bodily injury, battery resulting in moderate injury and misdemeanor battery.
On Friday, both officers were found not guilty on all counts following a five-day jury trial. The men have been on administrative duty for over two years following Whitfield's April 2022 death.
Whitfield's death
The charges stemmed from the death of Herman Whitfield III, who died after IMPD was called to his parents’ home on April 25, 2022. The 39-year-old man was in the midst of a mental health crisis, his parents said, and called 911 to request an ambulance. His father told police his son was “having a psychosis.”
Officers arrived to find Whitfield standing naked in a hallway and sweating. He moved around the home and while police tried to communicate with him, they were largely unsuccessful.
Police then used a stun gun on Whitfield after trying to engage him in conversation. While he was on the floor, the Taser stun gun was deployed a second time.
IMPD officers then converged on Whitfield, handcuffing him as he lay on his stomach. He was heard saying “I can’t breathe” in body camera footage. He later died at the hospital.
The Marion County Coroner’s Office later ruled Whitfield’s death a homicide, with an autopsy report stating he died from “cardiopulmonary arrest in the setting of law enforcement subdual, prone restraint and conducted electrical weapon use.”
The report also listed “morbid obesity” and “hypertensive cardiovascular disease” - a condition related to high blood pressure - as contributing conditions.
“As his death occurred during a physical prone restraint, and this restraint played a role in his death, the manner of death is listed as homicide,” the coroner’s report concluded.
Aftermath, charges filed
In June 2022, IMPD released body camera footage from the incident that was not in its raw form and had been edited. The City of Indianapolis and IMPD were later ordered on Nov. 21, 2022, to release the full, unedited footage from the incident, which Whitfield's family said they received.
Also in July 2022, Whitfield’s family filed a wrongful death lawsuit against the city of Indianapolis and six officers who responded to the Whitfield home in which they are seeking unspecified damages. That civil case is set for trial in July 2025 in federal court in Indianapolis.
Whitfield's death sparked a wave of protests in the Indianapolis community, with many supporting his family and their pursuit of justice and rallies lasting well into 2023. In the wake of the in-custody death, the Indiana Fraternal Order of Police also called for police officers to no longer respond to mental health crises.
Then, in April 2023, Sanchez and Ahmad were identified as two of the main officers involved. They were subsequently indicted by a grand jury and charged with involuntary manslaughter, reckless homicide and various battery counts.
The jury trial against the two officers began on Monday, Dec. 2.
Jury trial
Daniel Cicchini, the chief trial deputy for the Marion County Prosecutor’s Office, said in his opening statement that Ahmad and Sanchez held Whitfield face down on the floor of his parents’ dining room longer than was necessary while he was being handcuffed.
Cicchini said the officers’ actions left the man, who was obese, “unable to breathe.”
“Essentially his heart and lungs could no longer function properly,” Cicchini told the jury. “When they kept him in that position they did so recklessly.”
He also told the jurors that the two officers’ actions were “a substantial deviation from their training.”
However, defense attorney Mason Riley said during his opening statement that Whitfield suffered from an enlarged heart. He said Whitfield, who weighed 389 pounds according to his autopsy, had died “before the handcuffing concluded.”
“Neither of them [Sanchez or Ahmad] have committed a single criminal act,” Riley said of the co-defendants.
He also said neither officer, nor other officers who responded to the family’s home, heard Whitfield say he could not breathe. The defense later went on to argue that the THC found in Whitfield's blood after his death contributed to his heart issues and eventual death.
The jury hearing the case against the two officers was dismissed after closing arguments ended around 11 a.m. Friday. Around 1:20 p.m., the jury returned a verdict.
Verdict
Following a five-day trial and over two hours of jury deliberation, both Sanchez and Ahmad were found not guilty on all counts.
FOX59/CBS4 is now working to gather more information on and reactions to the verdict. This article will be updated as more information is released.
Reactions
In a statement sent Friday by IMPD, Chief Chris Bailey extended his sympathies to the Whitfield family. He also thanked the jury and the officers involved, stating that there are "no true winners."
"First and foremost, I want to extend my deepest sympathy to the Whitfield family and all those who knew and loved Herman Whitfield III. His death is a devastating loss, and I recognize the impact this had on those who knew him.
I want to extend our sincere gratitude to the jury for their time, effort, and thoughtful deliberations in this case. We respect the judicial process and the care the jurors have taken in reviewing all the facts.
I also want to commend Officer Ahmad, Officer Sanchez and all of the officers and detectives who provided testimony for their professionalism and resilience throughout this process. As part of our standard procedure, both officers will complete refresher training to ensure they are fully prepared to return to work. Once that is finalized, they will resume their normal duties.
Cases like this are deeply difficult, and there are no true winners.
Mental health is an issue that impacts so many across our community. It is a complicated and sensitive topic that requires a thoughtful and holistic response. Law enforcement alone should not bear the responsibility of responding to situations involving individuals experiencing a mental health crisis.
IMPD’s Mobile Crisis Assistance Teams (MCAT) continue to operate all across our city, pairing officers with trained clinicians to handle mental health-related calls. We also work daily with the City’s Clinician Lead Community Response (CLCR) Team. These teams bring a collaborative approach, allowing law enforcement to address safety concerns while trained professionals provide critical mental health expertise and resources. We also encourage community members to utilize the new 988 number for non-violent crisis emergencies, providing an alternative to calling 911 for situations that do not require a police response.
While today's outcome in court closes a chapter, it does not end our commitment to professionalism, empathy, continuous improvement, and building trust with our community.
We look forward to continued partnerships with our community to find solutions that prioritize safety, dignity, and well-being for all."
- IMPD Chief Chris Bailey
Marion County Prosecutor Ryan Mears also issued a statement Friday afternoon.
"In April 2022, Herman Jr. and Gladys Whitfield reached out for help, hoping that the police would protect their son in a moment of desperate need and the result of what ensued was an absolute tragedy," Mears said. "While heartbroken for the Whitfield family, I want to recognize the jurors for their consideration of the testimony and evidence over the past five days."
Indianapolis FOP President Rick Snyder released a statement as well, echoing Bailey's sentiment that there are no winners in this case.
"There are no winners in this case. There are also no criminal actions by the officers involved. Instead, these officers faithfully responded to a call for help and while they attempted to help, a death occurred as the result of a medical matter that was compounded by the patient’s actions, physical condition, and narcotics induced delirium. As was known from the beginning, these officers were placed in a no-win situation – not by their choosing – but by being responsive to the call for service, patient and professional in their steps to intervene, and by being truthful and forthright in their testimony. This is the question facing the Indianapolis community, our capital city, and the entire State of Indiana: Is this really the way we, as a society, are going to treat those who step forward to help, serve, and protect? When there are no negative outcomes, we call them professionals… When officers die in such service, we call them heroes… But when tragedies occur, outside of their control, while providing care…we call them criminals?? We cannot allow this Prosecutor to continue doing business like this! He knows better and so do those carrying his water and doing his dirty work in these predatory prosecutions. Marion County Prosecutor, Ryan Mears, knew that there was not cause to criminally charge these officers. Yet he covered his political backside by routing this case to a Grand Jury and it is now clear he did not provide them the full information and context for their review and decision-making process. Once again, the justice system in Marion County was short changed and short circuited. Instead of the truth, this community (and this family), were tricked with false expectations and flawed ethics by those involved in moving this case forward while preying on their emotions. We pray for peace and healing for the Whitfield family. Unfortunately, it’s the tax payers who foot the bill and it’s the prosecutor’s office that loses credibility. It’s also the sworn officers of Indianapolis who keep getting used a political fodder for failed prosecutorial theater. That is why the Indianapolis Fraternal Order of Police will be pursuing intervention at the Statehouse and sanctions for such conduct."
- Indy FOP President Rick Snyder
The Indy Black Church Coalition also reacted to the verdict in a statement.
"Our movement is deeply heartbroken by today’s verdict, which feels like a profound failure of justice. Once again, a Black man is unjustly blamed for his own death at the hands of the police—a tragic and all-too-familiar pattern.
Our hearts go out to the Whitfield family and what is unspeakable grief. We applaud the prosecutor's office for bringing this case. It was the right move, despite the outcome. We'll continue our work to organize to make sure nobody is killed at the hands of law enforcement."
- Pastor Darrell Brooks, BCC Clergy Team Chair & the BCC Central Committee
The Baptist Minister's Alliance and the Concerned Clergy of Indianapolis called for reform in a statement following the verdict announcement.
"Today’s verdict in the case of Herman Whitfield III, a Black man whose life was tragically cut short amidst a mental health crisis, is a sobering reminder of the systemic failures within our justice system. The officers involved were found not guilty, highlighting the urgent need for accountability, transparency, and comprehensive reform in law enforcement practices, particularly when interacting with individuals facing mental health challenges.
Herman Whitfield III was more than a statistic—he was a beloved member of our community, whose life mattered. 'This decision reopens wounds for his family and for all of us fighting for justice and dignity,' said Dr. Wayne L. Moore, president of Baptist Minister’s Alliance. 'We will not stand by as the justice system fails to deliver for our most vulnerable,' said Rev. David W. Greene, Sr., president of the Concerned Clergy of Indianapolis.
This case underscores the necessity of reimagining public safety here in Indianapolis. Police officers are often ill-equipped to address mental health crises, leading to tragic outcomes that disproportionately impact our Black and Brown communities. It is imperative that we invest in community-based crisis response teams, mandate cultural and de-escalation training for law enforcement, and hold officers accountable for their misconduct.
The Baptist Minister’s Alliance and the Concerned Clergy of Indianapolis extend our deepest condolences to the Whitfield family and recommit to advocating for systemic change. We call on policymakers, community leaders, and all those who value justice to stand with us in demanding reforms that prioritize humanity over harm. As faith-based leaders in this city, we will not sit on the sideline and watch the mentally ill killed in our city Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. said, 'Social injustice anywhere, is a threat to justice everywhere.' Our passion and efforts to fight for racial equity and for the disenfranchised will not vacillate."
- Dr. Wayne Moore (Baptist Minister’s Alliance) and Rev. David Greene, Sr. (Concerned Clergy)