4 former Milwaukee hotel workers plead not guilty to murder in D’Vontaye Mitchell's death
Four former hotel workers pleaded not guilty to murder charges on Thursday in connection to the death of D'Vontaye Mitchell, a Black man who died in June after he was pinned to the ground outside a Hyatt Regency hotel in Milwaukee.
The former hotel employees — Todd Alan Erickson, 60; Brandon LaDaniel Turner, 35; Herbert T. Williamson, 52; and Devin W. Johnson-Carson, 23 — were each charged with felony murder earlier this month. Online court records show that the four men pleaded not guilty Thursday during arraignment proceedings in Milwaukee.
Mitchell, 43, died on June 30 during an encounter with security outside of the Hyatt Regency hotel in downtown Milwaukee, where he was held face down for about nine minutes, according to court documents and surveillance footage.
Erickson and Turner were employed by the hotel as security guards; Williamson worked as a bell driver door attendant; and Johnson-Carson was a front desk agent. The hotel's third-party operator, Aimbridge Hospitality, fired the four men in July and police arrested them in August.
Thursday's arraignment proceedings come after criminal cases against the four men were bound over for trial by a court commissioner on Monday. Attorneys for the family of Mitchell also announced the same day that a settlement was reached with Aimbridge Hospitality.
While the agreement terms were not disclosed, the operator said the settlement was "a result of the good faith discussions with the representatives of the family of D’Vontaye Mitchell with the goal of bringing the family some comfort as they mourn this tragic loss."
The incident garnered national attention, raising questions over the use of force, and drew comparisons to the murder of George Floyd, a Black man who was killed by Minneapolis police in 2020. It also sparked days of protests and demonstrations leading up to the Republican National Convention, which was held from July 15 to 18 and hosted in Milwaukee.
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Bonds reduced for former Hyatt employees, records show
Court records show cash bond was reduced for both Erickson and Turner on Thursday. Erickson's was reduced from $50,000 to $5,000 and Turner's was reduced from $30,000 to $5,000.
Bail for Williamson was reduced last Friday from $15,000 to $5,000, according to court records. Johnson-Carson's bond had been set at $5,000 following his arrest and was later released from jail after posting bond on August 12.
A criminal complaint said Mitchell was outnumbered during the deadly encounter, in which the 43-year-old was repeatedly punched and hit with a broom after he was brought to his knees. Surveillance footage from the hotel showed Mitchell running through the lobby into the gift shop before entering a women's restroom. Turner is seen going into the same restroom, where he escorts Mitchell out.
A struggle then ensued between Turner and Mitchell in the hotel's main lobby, according to the footage and criminal complaint. It's there that Turner begins punching Mitchell, who is knocked to the floor.
The incident draws the attention of a hotel guest, identified in the complaint as SB, who intervenes to help Turner. According to the complaint, the hotel guest and Turner escorted and later dragged Mitchell outside — where a female Hyatt employee struck Mitchell in the legs with a broom.
“At some point, the individuals gained control of him and got him on his stomach," Milwaukee Police Detective Martin Saavedra testified at Monday's preliminary hearing.
The complaint said Turner then punched Mitchell about six times and footage further showed Williamson and Johnson-Carter attempting to help Erickson and Turner force Mitchell down to his stomach.
D'Vontaye Mitchell's death declared a homicide
The Milwaukee County Medical Examiner's Office determined on Aug. 2 that Mitchell's death was a homicide that was caused by "restraint asphyxia and toxic effects of cocaine and methamphetamine." Restraint asphyxia occurs when a person is restrained in a way that prevents them from breathing adequately.
"He reportedly went unresponsive while staff awaited police arrival," the Milwaukee County Medical Examiner's Office said in its final report. "Illicit drug paraphernalia was found on his person."
Dr. Lauren Decker, a forensic pathologist for the medical examiner's office, said Mitchell had scrapes and bruising on his face. She added that several factors, including Mitchell's height, weight, and health condition could have contributed to his death.
Mitchell was obese for his height — he was 6 feet tall and weighed more than 300 pounds — and had an enlarged heart, according to the medical examiner's office.
Contributing: Chris Ramirez, David Clarey, and Drake Bentley, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel