Four Hyatt Regency workers in Milwaukee are facing charges in connection with the death of D’Vontaye Mitchell, a Black man who was beaten and punched by the men during a confrontation at the hotel. The four men, Todd Alan Erickson, Brandon LaDaniel Turner, Herbert T. Williamson, and Devin W. Johnson-Carson, are all charged with felony murder, as Mitchell died during the incident after being held down for about nine minutes. The incident has been compared to the murder of George Floyd in 2020.
The workers involved were employed as security guards, bell driver door attendants, and a front desk agent at the hotel. Surveillance video from the hotel helped investigators piece together the events that led to Mitchell’s death. The video showed a struggle between Turner and Mitchell, with additional workers, identified as SB and TB, also involved in the physical altercation. Turner and Johnson-Carson allegedly punched Mitchell multiple times, while Erickson attempted to hit him as well.
Ultimately, Mitchell was held down by the four men for about nine minutes until police and emergency responders arrived. Mitchell was determined to have had drugs in his system, and the cause of death was ruled as restraint asphyxia by the Milwaukee County Medical Examiner. Mitchell’s family expressed relief at the charges being filed, though they believe it came too late. They are hoping for convictions in the case to achieve justice for Mitchell. District Attorney John Chisholm cited an extensive review of evidence and community input as reasons for filing charges.
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