Alexander Rios Media Kit
Family Seeks Justice for Son Killed by Richland County Jail Officers
Background
Alexander Rios was booked into Richland County Jail during the early morning hours of September 19, 2019. Alex, a pre-trial detainee, was brutally attacked and rendered unconscious by corrections officers less than 24 hours later. Alex died eight days later. He was 28 years old. The entire attack was captured on video.
Alex was transported to OhioHealth Mansfield Hospital, where he fought for his life in ICU for days. On September 27, 2019, doctors removed Alex from a ventilator and he died shortly thereafter.
The Moulds, Alex’s stepfather and mother, were assured that an investigation would be pursued. S. Forrest Thompson was appointed by the Richland County Prosecutor to investigate the incident. Two outside agencies, The Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation, as well as the FBI also allegedly have open investigations, yet it has been over 17 months and the family still has no answers.
In February 2021, footage of the incident was publicly released. Sgt. Jamaal O'Dell said he began recording the video on a hand-held camera after he was called to assist officers. The video shows shocking and violent use of force against Alex by correctional officers.
Alex was on suicide watch and needed assistance. The officers opened his cell door intending to put Alex in a restraint chair. Alex attempted to run past officers, who then pinned him to the concrete floor using the full weight of five men to compress and restrain him. They proceed to taser Alex at least five times. The officers continued to use gratuitous and unnecessary violence; one officer punched Alex in the head several times, while another placed a foot on his back with his full weight, restricting Alex’s breathing. Two minutes after the attack began, Alex went unconscious but officers didn't realize this until they began to lift him minutes later, and realized he was limp and turning blue.
Marcus Sidoti and Sarah Gelsomino along with co-counsel J.C. and Rocky Ratliff, are representing Alex’s family, which includes his mother, step-father, and Rios’ three young children.
Alex’s family deserves answers and the accountability of the officers responsible for his death.
Press Releases
A Fatal Five Minutes: Prosecutor questions 'excited delirium' in Richland jail death
News 5 Cleveland | March 22, 2021
Video Shows Guards Restraining Ohio Jail Inmate Before Death
U.S. News | February 11, 2021
A Fatal Five Minutes — Man’s family wants answers
News Channel 5 | February 10, 2021
'He's turning blue.' Family demands answers in Richland jail death after video surfaces
Mansfield News Journal | January 10, 2021
Attorney Information
With more than 40 years of civil rights and criminal defense trial experience, Friedman, Gilbert + Gerhardstein fights for our clients’ fundamental rights. FG+G attorneys aggressively pursue and expose misconduct by police, jailers, and governments to demand accountability for our clients and to defend those charged in criminal cases.
