Wisconsin natives have had to grapple with a number of controversies over the years, and unfortunately, it seems now yet another. A man, D’Vontaye Mitchell, is dead, and four people – hotel employees, even, appear to have played a role in his life coming to an end.
The Incident
On June 30, 2023, what should have been a routine day at the Hyatt Hotel in Milwaukee turned into a tragedy. Four hotel employees – Todd Erickson, Devin Johnson-Carson, Herbert Williamson, and Brandon Turner – are now facing felony murder charges in connection with the death of D’Vontaye Mitchell.
Mitchell, who was reportedly morbidly obese and had ingested cocaine and methamphetamine, entered a women’s bathroom at the hotel. The situation quickly escalated when hotel staff dragged him out and restrained him for 8-9 minutes. During this time, Mitchell showed clear signs of distress, pleading for help and struggling to breathe.
4 hotel employees charged with being party to felony murder in connection with Milwaukee man’s death https://t.co/mUvb18kaDH pic.twitter.com/m5Deb4TGz0
— New York Post (@nypost) August 7, 2024
The Charges
Prosecutors have charged the four employees with being party to felony murder, which could lead to sentences of up to 15 years and nine months in prison if convicted. The charges come after a detailed review of surveillance footage and witness statements.
“Mitchell displayed ‘clear signs of extreme distress, including gags, distressed breathing and repeated pleas for help,'” – Devin Johnson-Carson, as reported in the complaint
The criminal complaint alleges that the defendants were aware that holding Mitchell face-down on the ground was “practically certain” to cause impairment of his physical condition. The county medical examiner determined that Mitchell died of “restraint asphyxia” and suggested that he might have survived if allowed to turn onto his side.
The Aftermath
The incident has drawn comparisons to the 2020 death of George Floyd, sparking discussions about the use of excessive force and racial disparities in law enforcement. Civil rights attorney Ben Crump, representing Mitchell’s family, has criticized the delay in charging the employees and hailed the charges as “a significant step towards justice.”
“’Our hearts are with Mr. Mitchell’s family and loved ones as this case moves forward,’” – Aimbridge Hospitality statement
Aimbridge Hospitality, the company managing the Hyatt Hotel, has fired several employees involved in the incident and stated that they are cooperating fully with law enforcement. The case has raised questions about training protocols in the hospitality industry and the appropriate use of force by security personnel.
As this case progresses, it will undoubtedly have far-reaching implications for hotel security practices and potentially lead to industry-wide changes in how staff are trained to handle difficult situations. For now, four former hotel employees face an uncertain future, while a family mourns the loss of a loved one in what should have been a safe environment.
Sources
2. 4 hotel employees charged with being party to felony murder in connection with Black man’s death
