Former Hotel Workers Plead Not Guilty in Murder Case

Four former employees of a Milwaukee hotel pleaded not guilty on Thursday to felony murder charges related to the death of D’Vontaye Mitchell, a 43-year-old Black man. The incident occurred this summer outside the Hyatt Regency hotel, where Mitchell was pinned to the ground by the workers during a confrontation that was partially captured on video. The case has drawn attention amid ongoing scrutiny of the use of force against people of color, following nationwide protests sparked by the murder of George Floyd in 2020. The defendants—security guards Todd Erickson and Brandon Turner, bellhop Herbert Williamson, and front desk worker Devin Johnson-Carson—were charged earlier this month. During a preliminary hearing, their attorney, Craig Johnson, described Mitchell's death as a tragedy but asserted that his client acted to protect hotel guests and did not commit a crime. The court granted bail reductions for Erickson and Turner, while Johnson-Carson and Williamson had previously been released on cash bond. Witness testimony revealed that Mitchell had attempted to lock two women in a bathroom prior to the altercation. The Milwaukee County Medical Examiner's Office ruled Mitchell's death a homicide, citing suffocation as the cause, while noting his obesity, heart disease, and the presence of drugs in his system. The defendants claimed they did not intend to harm Mitchell, stating he was strong and had tried to bite Erickson during the struggle. Mitchell's family has drawn parallels between his death and that of George Floyd, emphasizing the racial dynamics involved, as the four workers include both Black and white individuals. The case continues to unfold as the defendants face potential sentences of up to 15 years and nine months if convicted.