Newly obtained video shows events leading to the death of a Missouri inmate

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (KY3) – A new video showing the death of a Missouri inmate was released late last year.

This comes after a months-long investigation into Othel Moore’s death led to several guards being fired. The Missouri Department of Corrections has made several changes following Othel Moore’s death, but his family continues the legal battle and filed a new lawsuit last week.

A grand jury has indicted four former Jefferson City Correctional Center officers who pleaded not guilty. Charges against a fifth guard were dropped. Criminal and civil lawsuits are pending in this case. There are currently no court dates scheduled.

The video was released today and shows the moments leading up to the death of 38-year-old Othel Moore at the Jefferson City Correctional Facility on December 8, 2023.

The incident started when a team entered to search several prisoners. In the video you see Othel Moore in a fastener. He also wears a spit mask and a helmet. It is not visible on the video, but lawyers said he was pepper-sprayed, and guards placed a hood over his head before restraining him. Othel Moore struggled to breathe into the security system for more than 30 minutes as guards watched. You can see his head drop before the medical staff comes in to check him.

The Cole County Sheriff’s investigation into Othel Moore’s death concluded June 28. It was determined that the security system used on Moore caused his death.

The Missouri Department of Corrections said it no longer used that security system because of this incident and implemented a body camera system for accountability. Ten people involved in the incident were released from the Jefferson City Correctional Center following the sheriff’s office and an internal investigation.

The Missouri Department of Corrections said in a statement: “We take seriously our responsibility to create the safest environment possible and will not tolerate behavior or conditions that endanger the well-being of Missourians who work or live in our facilities. ”

Othel Moore had been serving a 30-year prison sentence since May 2005 for assault, theft and drug abuse, as well as assault on a prisoner or a prison official.

If you would like to report a correction or typo, please send an email [email protected]. Please include the item information in the subject line of the email.