In Columbia, Missouri, the tragic death of Othel Moore Jr., a Black inmate at the Jefferson City Correction Center, has resulted in serious legal consequences for five correctional officers.
Moore died on December 8, 2023, following an incident where he was pepper-sprayed, restrained with a spit hood and leg wrap, and left in a position that led to suffocation, according to Prosecutor Locke Thompson.
The death, ruled as positional asphyxiation and labeled a homicide, was captured on surveillance footage, revealing the circumstances that prompted charges against the guards.
Justin Leggins, Jacob Case, Aaron Brown, and Gregory Varner face charges of second-degree murder, while Bryanne Bradshaw has been charged with accessory to involuntary manslaughter.
These charges stem from the guards’ alleged use of excessive force, including improper restraint methods and the use of pepper spray.
Andrew Stroth, representing Moore’s family, likened the incident to the tragic death of George Floyd, highlighting systemic issues and alleging brutal treatment by the prison’s emergency response team.
The family has filed a lawsuit against both the guards and the Department of Corrections.
Responding to the incident, the Department of Corrections acknowledged that Moore’s death occurred during the use of a now-discontinued restraint system intended for safety purposes.
In response to growing concerns, the department has implemented body-worn cameras in maximum-security facilities to enhance transparency and accountability.
Oriel Moore, the victim’s sister, expressed profound sorrow over her brother’s death, emphasizing that Othel had been incarcerated since childhood but harbored hopes for a productive future.
Moore was serving a 30-year sentence for multiple charges at the time of his death, with Jacob Case being the only defendant reported to have retained legal representation thus far.
