3 Ex-Deputies Face Murder Charges in Virginia Inmate’s Death

Three former sheriff’s deputies in Virginia Beach, Va., were indicted Friday on murder charges in connection with the death of an inmate who had been held at the city jail last year, according to the Virginia Beach Commonwealth’s Attorney’s Office.

The men are accused of causing the death of Rolin Hill, a 34-year-old Virginia Beach man who was taken to the Virginia Beach Correctional Center on June 4 on charges of trespassing, resisting arrest and disorderly conduct.

Once there, Mr. Hill was “uncooperative and combative” as he was being booked, and deputies had to restrain him, the Virginia Beach Sheriff’s Office said at the time.

Within 90 minutes of arriving at the jail, Mr. Hill had a “medical emergency,” the office said, without specifying what that emergency was, and was taken to a hospital.

He died on June 10, and his death was ruled a homicide. The medical examiner concluded that the cause of death was “positional and mechanical asphyxia due to restraint with neck and torso compression.”

Dozens of cameras at the jail and the deputies’ body-worn cameras captured the episode. Video footage has not been released, and the authorities have declined to give details about what happened.

Colin D. Stolle, the commonwealth’s attorney for Virginia Beach, said Friday that he could not speak about the facts and evidence of an ongoing case.

The former deputies, Eric G. Baptiste, 39, of Virginia Beach; Michael C. Kidd, 39, of Chesapeake; and Kevin B. Wilson, 34, of Virginia Beach, were each charged with second-degree murder, which carries a maximum penalty of 40 years in prison.

In addition, Mr. Baptiste faces five counts of assault and battery, while Mr. Kidd faces two counts.

Sheriff Rocky Holcomb of Virginia Beach said last year that his office would investigate. But he also immediately requested a third-party investigation by the Virginia State Police even before Mr. Hill had died.

In October, after he had received updates from the State Police, Sheriff Holcomb announced that the five deputies involved were no longer working for his office. A grand jury chose to indict only three of the men, according to the Commonwealth’s Attorney’s Office.

Brian Latuga, a lawyer for Mr. Baptiste, said that his client “had an exemplary career dedicated to serving and protecting this community and the inmates who are incarcerated within it.”

“He has been wrongfully accused of a horrendous crime from apparent actions while performing his sworn duties,” Mr. Latuga said.

Lawyers for the other former deputies did not immediately respond to calls requesting comment on Friday night.

Mr. Hill was an Eagle Scout who loved surfing and skateboarding, according to an obituary published in The Virginian-Pilot.

Mr. Hill’s family, requesting privacy, did not comment on the indictments, Macie Allen, a spokeswoman for the Commonwealth’s Attorney’s Office, said on Friday night.

The Virginia Beach chapter of the N.A.A.C.P. said Friday that it continued to be disheartened and outraged by the death of Mr. Hill, who was Black.

“These charges represent a critical first step in the pursuit of justice, but they also underscore the need for greater transparency, accountability, and reform within our criminal justice system,” the chapter said in a statement.

According to the indictment, Mr. Baptiste is Hispanic, Mr. Kidd is white, and Mr. Wilson is Black.

In November, Sheriff Holcomb created a new post to give more “oversight and transparency in all inmate-related services.” The police captain who was promoted into the role began his job last month.

In his statement, Mr. Stolle, the commonwealth’s attorney, said: “My most heartfelt sympathies are with the Hill family as they mourn the tragic loss of Rolin. I continue to ask for the public’s patience as this case moves through the court process. As in all cases involving the tragic loss of life, my office is committed to seeking justice for Rolin Hill.”