Former Virginia deputies face murder charges in connection to restrained inmate’s death

Virginia Beach, Va. — Three former deputies from the local sheriff’s department are facing second-degree murder charges in connection with the death of a man they restrained in jail last year, as announced by prosecutors on Friday.

A special grand jury convened three times to examine the evidence before issuing the indictments, according to Colin Stolle, the commonwealth attorney for Virginia Beach.

“My office is dedicated to pursuing justice for Rolin Hill,” stated Stolle regarding the tragic incident.

The local medical examiner determined that 34-year-old Hill passed away due to “positional and mechanical asphyxia caused by restraint through neck and torso compression,” officially classifying the death as a homicide.

Hill was arrested in June on charges of trespassing, resisting arrest, and disorderly conduct, according to the Virginia Beach Sheriff’s Office. Following his booking, deputies used force to restrain Hill as he was reportedly uncooperative and combative. Subsequently, he suffered a medical emergency and was transported to a hospital for treatment.

Sheriff Rocky Holcomb indicated last year that his office would conduct an internal investigation but also sought an independent review by the Virginia State Police. After hearing updates from state police in October, Holcomb confirmed that the deputies involved were no longer with the sheriff’s office.

The men charged include Eric G. Baptiste, 39, from Virginia Beach; Michael C. Kidd, 39, from Chesapeake; and Kevin B. Wilson, 34, also from Virginia Beach.

Baptiste’s attorney, Brian Latuga, expressed his condolences to Hill’s family in a public statement, emphasizing that Baptiste had an honorable career devoted to public service. He insisted that Baptiste “has been wrongfully accused of a horrendous crime,” urging the public to reserve judgment while the legal proceedings unfold. Latuga expressed confidence that the evidence would exonerate Baptiste in Hill’s unfortunate death.

As of now, attorneys representing Kidd and Wilson have not provided immediate comments to inquiries made.

Sheriff Holcomb voiced his belief in the judicial system on Friday, expressing hope that it would deliver justice for both Rolin Hill and the deputies involved in the incident.

WAVY-TV reported earlier that the Virginia Beach chapter of the NAACP raised alarms regarding the circumstances surrounding Hill’s demise.

Furthermore, The Virginian-Pilot shared Hill’s obituary in October, highlighting that he was an Eagle Scout with passions for surfing, skateboarding, and spending time with his family. The obituary also pointed out that “mental health in America is still a major issue,” encouraging donations to mental health organizations.

In the U.S., prosecutions against police officers in cases involving civilian deaths related to physical force are rare, despite investigations revealing that over the last decade, more than 1,000 individuals died following police interventions that were deemed non-lethal. Many of these incidents involved officers violating multiple safety protocols, notably holding suspects in face-down positions.