Devin Johnson-Carson pleads guilty to battery in hotel death case

In June 2024, D'Vontaye Mitchell was involved in a confrontation with hotel staff at the Hyatt in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, which resulted in his death. Several former hotel workers, including Devin Johnson-Carson, were charged in connection to this incident, having physically subdued Mitchell in the hotel's lobby. Johnson-Carson, who worked as a front desk employee, was initially charged with being a party to felony murder due to the involvement of the workers in the scuffle and subsequent restraint of Mitchell. His plea deal, which was reached on a Thursday in early March 2025, was specifically for battery related to his role during the incident, and he asserted that he did not cause Mitchell's death. At the time of the incident, it was noted that Mitchell was in poor health, being morbidly obese and suffering heart disease while having drugs in his system, which complicated the investigation into the cause of his death. The surveillance footage showed Johnson-Carson holding Mitchell's legs while others held his upper body down for several minutes until he ceased breathing. The Milwaukee County medical examiner emphasized the pre-existing health conditions that made Mitchell susceptible to the outcome. Johnson-Carson's attorney communicated that there was no intent to harm Mitchell and they were merely responding to a perceived threat. Meanwhile, the legal proceedings have drawn comparisons to the high-profile case of George Floyd, given the public discourse surrounding the treatment of individuals during arrests and detainment, particularly among people of color. Other workers involved in the incident, like security guard Brandon Turner, have also faced legal consequences, with Turner admitting to being party to felony murder, while another, Herbert Williamson, pleaded guilty to misdemeanor battery. Johnson-Carson's plea agreement includes a provision for him to testify against Todd Erickson, another worker who is set to be tried in August 2025. The sentiments following the incident continue to evoke discussions on law enforcement practices, systemic racism, and accountability in such fatal encounters with law enforcement or security personnel. As the community grapples with the implications of this incident, it serves as a somber reminder of the importance of proper training and protocol in managing confrontations in public spaces, particularly those involving individuals with known health challenges or those under the influence of substances. The sentencing for Johnson-Carson is scheduled for September 3, 2025, where he could face a maximum of nine months in jail as a result of his guilty plea.