On February 3, McKenna’s mental condition finally deteriorated to the point where authorities decided she should be in a care facility for treatment.
The public release of the video came two days after the chief prosecutor announced no charges would be brought against the deputies who violently restrained McKenna for nearly 18 minutes and shot 50,000 volts of electricity through her naked body four times.
The video, which contains graphic images, begins with an introduction from Kincaid who herself seems troubled by the incident.
“I want all of you to know that this tragic incident has been engrained in my mind from the day that it occurred,” Kincaid states. “It is my responsibility as your sheriff to insure that something like this never happens again. I also want to express my condolences Ms. McKenna’s family for their loss, and give them the opportunity to view the video which you are about to see.”
Following the sheriff’s statement, the footage cuts to an officer in a biohazard suit explaining the situation, and then a team of officers in the same suits proceed down the hallway to her cell.
"You promised me you wouldn't kill me. I didn't do anything," McKenna says as the door opens and officers in biohazard suits surround her.
She is brought to the ground and sandwiched between the cement floor and a shield holding several officers’ weight, and she is cuffed and shackled. This lasts for over 17 minutes.
Approximately 38 minutes into the video, McKenna stops breathing and loses consciousness. She died in the hospital five days later.
"It is my legal opinion that there is not probable cause, much less proof beyond a reasonable doubt, that anyone involved in this case committed a crime," Commonwealth's Attorney for Fairfax County, Raymond F. Morrogh, wrote when announcing he would not be filing charges.
"It was Ms. McKenna's severe mental illness, coupled with the tremendous physical exertion she put forth over an extended period of time struggling with deputies that resulted in a cascade of lethal chemical reactions inside her body," he continued.
It was determined that McKenna died from “excited delirium,” a condition that the medical community does not recognize.
McKenna leaves behind a seven year old daughter, who will likely one day see this video.
Please be advised, the video contains extremely disturbing images.
