Sulton Law Firm represents the family of D’Vontaye Mitchell, who died on June 30, 2024 after a violent restraint by hotel personnel outside the Hyatt Regency in downtown Milwaukee. This page provides a concise, case-specific status update and what comes next.
Summary
- Incident: June 30, 2024, outside the Hyatt Regency Milwaukee. Mr. Mitchell was pinned face-down for several minutes by hotel staff and later pronounced dead. The Medical Examiner ruled the death a homicide.
- Criminal Charges: Four former hotel workers were charged in Milwaukee County in August 2024.
- Plea Outcomes (to date):
- Brandon Turner (former security guard): Pled guilty to felony murder (March 2025).
- Herbert Williamson (former bellman): Pled guilty to misdemeanor battery (March 2025).
- Devin Johnson‑Carson (former front desk worker): Pled guilty to misdemeanor battery (March 2025).
- Todd Erickson (former security guard): Pled guilty to felony murder (July 31, 2025).
- Sentencing: All four defendants are scheduled for sentencing on September 3, 2025 in Milwaukee County Circuit Court.
- Civil Resolution with Hotel Operator: The family reached a confidential settlement with the hotel’s operator in August 2024. Claims against individual actors and accountability efforts continue.
Note on recency: As of August 13, 2025, there have been no additional public developments reported within the past seven days. The most recent milestone is the July 31, 2025 guilty plea by Todd Erickson.
Evidence Overview
- Videos: Surveillance and bystander recordings depict Mr. Mitchell being restrained prone for approximately 8–9 minutes, including knee pressure on his back/neck region.
- Medical Findings: The Medical Examiner concluded restraint asphyxia was the mechanism of death; heart disease and drug toxicology were listed as contributing factors. The manner of death was certified homicide.
- Eyewitness Accounts: Multiple witnesses, including hotel staff, describe strikes and sustained pressure while Mr. Mitchell was prone and no longer resisting. One report indicates a staff member photographed Mr. Mitchell’s body during the aftermath.
These facts, taken together, align with established warnings in national guidance regarding the dangers of prone restraint and the heightened risk of positional asphyxia.
Where the Criminal Cases Stand
- Convictions by Plea: Two defendants to felony murder; two to misdemeanor battery.
- Next Hearing: Sentencing for all four defendants — September 3, 2025.
- Potential Exposure: Felony murder pleas carry substantial prison exposure; misdemeanor battery is punishable by up to nine months’ confinement.
The family will deliver victim impact statements at sentencing. We will continue to pursue full accountability under Wisconsin law.
Our Client’s Position
D’Vontaye Mitchell should be alive. The conduct captured on video is inconsistent with any accepted use‑of‑force standard for civilian security personnel. Kneeling on a restrained person’s torso/neck and sustaining a prone hold for minutes is deadly.
The family’s objectives are:
- Criminal accountability proportionate to the harm.
- Industry reform so hotel operators train and monitor third‑party security to prohibit dangerous restraint tactics.
- Public transparency around incident response, evidence preservation, and contractor oversight.
What’s Next
- Through August 2025: Counsel is preparing for sentencing, including impact statements and submissions addressing aggravation and public‑safety concerns.
- September 3, 2025: Sentencing for all four defendants. We will publish a detailed post‑hearing update the same day.
- Ongoing: Monitoring for any related administrative or licensing actions involving security contractors and property management.
How to Help / Provide Information
If you witnessed the incident, possess video or photographs, or have information regarding training or supervision of security at the Hyatt Regency Milwaukee during June–July 2024, please contact Sulton Law Firm at [contact@—] or (xxx) xxx‑xxxx.
For media inquiries, please direct requests to press@— with the subject line “Mitchell Case.”
