Justice for Othel Moore, Jr.: Shining a Light on Restraint Chair Abuse in America’s Jails

The death of Othel Moore, Jr. was not just a tragedy—it was a preventable catastrophe, the kind that underscores a deeply broken system.

Othel Moore, Jr. died after he was restrained by corrections officers during a mental health crisis—an incident that now stands at the center of a national reckoning over the use of restraint chairs and full-body restraints in jails and prisons. His death was among more than 100 cases identified by KMBC 9 News in its sweeping two-year investigation, Restrained, which documented a disturbing pattern: inmates strapped down for hours or days, ignored in obvious medical distress, and subjected to dangerous restraint tactics that defied manufacturer warnings and basic human decency.

Our firm has the privilege of representing Mr. Moore’s family in seeking justice and accountability for what happened to him. Othel was not a threat—he was a son, a friend, a human being in crisis who needed help, not harm. Instead, he died in custody, restrained and ignored. Five officers have been criminally charged. Civil litigation is ongoing. And yet, the systemic failures that contributed to his death remain in place in jails across the country.

KMBC’s reporting highlights that at least 54 people died after being subjected to restraint chairs between 2014 and 2024, and dozens more suffered serious injuries—some after being pepper sprayed or stunned with Tasers while fully immobilized. The investigation found jails routinely violating time limits, bypassing medical checks, and using these devices as punishment rather than protection.

The U.S. Department of Justice, the United Nations, and even manufacturers themselves have raised alarms. But still, there is no consistent national standard governing their use. In Missouri and Kansas, KMBC found that many counties lacked even the most basic policies—some responding to public records requests with a single-page document, others with none at all.

This must change.

Civil rights litigation plays a critical role in demanding that change. Every lawsuit, including the one we’ve brought on behalf of Othel Moore, Jr.’s family, is a demand that lives be treated with dignity, that accountability be enforced, and that the law serve as a shield for the vulnerable rather than a weapon against them.

We are proud to stand with families who have lost loved ones in custody and to advocate for a future where restraint chairs are no longer a first resort for jails faced with mental health emergencies. Our work isn’t just about lawsuits—it’s about exposing abuse, pushing for reform, and making sure that people like Othel Moore, Jr. are never forgotten.

To learn more about KMBC’s powerful reporting, we encourage you to watch their full Chronicle: Restrained special here.

If you or a loved one has been affected by jail or prison abuse, we are here to help. Contact our firm for a confidential consultation.