USA (Washington Insider Magazine) – Four Hyatt Regency employees face felony murder charges in connection with the death of D’Vontaye Mitchell, a Black man who died following a confrontation with the hotel’s security staff. Milwaukee County prosecutors announced the charges on Tuesday, marking a significant development in the case.
The accused—Todd Alan Erickson, 60; Brandon LaDaniel Turner, 35; Herbert T. Williamson, 52; and Devin W. Johnson-Carson, 23—are charged with felony murder related to Mitchell’s death on June 30. The incident, which has drawn comparisons to the George Floyd case, involved Mitchell being restrained for approximately nine minutes by the hotel staff.
Surveillance Footage and Incident Details
According to the criminal complaint, Mitchell’s encounter with Hyatt staff began when he ran through the hotel lobby and into a women’s bathroom, where he attempted to lock himself in. Turner removed Mitchell from the bathroom, leading to a physical altercation in the lobby. Turner allegedly punched Mitchell, and hotel guest SB, along with other employees, assisted in restraining Mitchell.
The complaint details Mitchell being struck with a broom, punched, and tackled. He was held down in the hotel driveway by the four men, who allegedly used varying degrees of force to restrain him until police arrived. The restraint lasted roughly eight to nine minutes, during which Mitchell reportedly showed no further signs of movement.
Medical Examiner’s Findings and Family Reactions
Mitchell’s cause of death was determined to be restraint asphyxia in the Milwaukee County Medical Examiner’s report. Additionally, the examination showed that Mitchell had narcotics in his system when he passed away. The charges’ timing has angered Mitchell’s family, who feel that more should have been done to move things along sooner.
Despite the delay, family members have expressed some hope that the charges represent progress. “This is a move in the right direction,” said Nayisha Mitchell, adding that the family remains committed to pursuing justice.
Official Statements and Next Steps
According to USAToday, district Attorney John Chisholm said that a thorough examination of the evidence, which included security footage and autopsy data, led to the charges. Strong community reactions and demonstrations have been sparked by the case, underscoring the ongoing conflict and call for responsibility.
The court handling of these allegations and the wider ramifications for similar instances in the future will be the main points of interest as the legal process progresses.
