Four ex-hotel staff charged with murder in Milwaukee
Ex-hotel workers face charges over D'Vontaye Mitchell's death in Milwaukee
Four former hotel employees face felony murder charges related to the death of D’Vontaye Mitchell this summer. The arraignment is set for Thursday morning in Milwaukee County Court. Mitchell, a 43-year-old Black man, was pinned to the ground outside a Milwaukee hotel for up to nine minutes. Surveillance and mobile phone footage captured the incident, and an autopsy by the Milwaukee County Medical Examiner’s office ruled his death a homicide.
The individuals charged are Todd Alan Erickson, Devin W. Johnson-Carson, Brandon LaDaniel Turner, and Herbert T. Williamson. They were charged on August 6 and subsequently dismissed by Aimbridge Hospitality, the operator of the Hyatt Regency.
Mitchell’s family, represented by civil rights attorney Ben Crump, asserts he was experiencing a mental health crisis. William Sulton, the family’s lawyer, stated that the charges stemmed from the family’s legal efforts. He criticised the delay, noting the family waited 37 days for charges despite the incident being filmed.
Justice For D’Vontaye Mitchell: Settlement Reached In Black Man’s Milwaukee Hotel Death
Source: SOPA Images / Getty
UPDATED: 2:00 p.m. ET, Aug. 19
There has been a settlement in the death of a Black man who died after a violent confrontation with empl… https://t.co/neDTVvgufc pic.twitter.com/gFD7UOyvn4
— Leonard Y (@LeonardYoung302) August 19, 2024
If convicted, Erickson, Johnson-Carson, Turner, and Williamson could face up to 15 years and nine months in prison, according to the criminal complaints.
Erickson, 60, was the security manager at the Hyatt Regency on the day of Mitchell’s death. He turned himself in on August 7 and appeared in court the next day. He remains in jail on a $50,000 bond. Erickson had been with the Hyatt since April 2018, responsible for monitoring surveillance and patrolling the premises. The complaint reveals that Erickson and other security personnel were not licensed or certified but received CPR training from the hotel. Erickson admitted carrying a collapsible baton, which he believed his supervisors knew about and allowed.
On June 30, Erickson was alerted to a fight involving off-duty guard Turner in the lobby. Surveillance showed Erickson, Turner, Williamson, and Johnson-Carson struggling with Mitchell. Erickson tried to use his baton to restrain Mitchell, who resisted. Erickson also reportedly struck Mitchell with his fist and kicked him. Despite Mitchell’s resistance, Erickson claimed he did not intend to harm him.
Williamson, 52, was fired on July 10 for violating conduct standards. He was arrested on August 6, with his bond later set at $5,000. Williamson, who had worked at the hotel for a month and a half, apologised to Mitchell’s family, expressing regret for his involvement. He claimed he was pressured by a superior to help restrain Mitchell. Williamson saw Mitchell trying to re-enter the hotel forcefully. He joined the effort to hold Mitchell down, applying his knee to Mitchell’s arm and back. Williamson said he saw Erickson hit Mitchell with a baton and realised Mitchell was unconscious.
Johnson-Carson, 23, worked at the Hyatt’s front desk for about two months before the incident. He was booked on August 8 and released on $5,000 bond. Johnson-Carson said he intervened to help Turner, who was struggling with Mitchell. He grabbed Mitchell, brought him down, and struck him once. Johnson-Carson later realised Mitchell was dead when police arrived. In a sworn statement, Johnson-Carson noted Mitchell showed signs of extreme distress during the incident in Milwaukee.
Turner, 35, turned himself in on August 8 and remains in jail on a $30,000 bond. His attorney expressed confidence in Turner’s innocence. Turner, off duty during the incident, first encountered Mitchell on June 30. He saw Mitchell begging and later running towards the women’s restroom. Turner pulled Mitchell from the restroom, leading to a physical altercation where Turner punched Mitchell multiple times. Once outside, Turner continued to strike Mitchell. Security footage showed Turner calling 911 while holding Mitchell down.
All four men now await their arraignment, facing serious charges for their roles in Mitchell’s death.
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are some common questions asked about this news
Who are the four former hotel employees charged with murder?
Todd Alan Erickson, Devin W. Johnson-Carson, Brandon LaDaniel Turner, and Herbert T. Williamson.
What led to the charges against the former hotel employees?
They were involved in an incident where D’Vontaye Mitchell was pinned to the ground and died.
What is the potential prison time if the accused are convicted?
Up to 15 years and nine months.
What role did Todd Alan Erickson play in the incident?
He was the on-duty security manager and helped pin Mitchell to the ground.
What is the stance of D’Vontaye Mitchell’s family regarding the charges?
They agree with the charges but believe it took too long to file them.
