Attorney Sulton confirmed that more than 7 individuals including a guest at the Hyatt Regency Hotel contributed to Mitchell's murder. The Hyatt Regency security guard identified as Todd A. Erickson and the bellhop, Herbert T. Williamson who held Mitchell down are both convicted felons, according to Milwaukee County court records.
By H. Nelson Goodson
Hispanic News Network U.S.A.
July 10, 2024
Milwaukee, Wisconsin - On Wednesday, William Sulton, the Dvontaye L. Mitchell's, 43, family lawyer confirmed to the Hispanic News Network U.S.A. (HNNUSA) that more than 7 individuals including 1 Hyatt Regency Hotel guest were involved or in some way contributed to Mitchell's homicide at the hotel.
According to a press conference outside the Milwaukee County Safety Building where the Milwaukee County District Attorney's Office is located, Attorney Sulton, Attorney Ben Crump, and Attorney B'ivory Lamarr announced that one of the men who held Mitchell's leg while being restrained at the Hyatt Regency outside driveway has decided to become a witness for Mitchell's family attorneys. The witness for the Mitchell's family who signed an affidavit of what happened says, that he was forced to hold Mitchell's legs, even when he realized what the White security guard with the retractable metal baton was doing, including the other White individual that had his knee and hands on Mitchell's back preventing him from breathing was wrong. A 55 second video recorded anonymously showed 4 individuals restraining Mitchell as he pleaded for help at least 6 times and that he couldn't breathe multiple times, and that he was sorry.
One of the White on-duty Hyatt Regency Hotel security guards was identified as Todd A. Erickson, 59, who took out his cellphone and snapped a photo of Mitchell's body. Erickson allegedly used a retractable metal baton and his security walkie talkie to strike Mitchell multiple times.
Erickson was convicted on October 2000 after pleading guilty/no contest on one felony count for possession of an electric weapon, and two misdemeanor counts for possession of THC and cocaine. He was given 3 years probation for the felony count and 6 months for each misdemeanor count, which served concurrent (same time) with the felony count.
On April 2022, Erickson applied for a pardon, but has not been pardon by Wisconsin Governor Tony Evers (D), according to Milwaukee County court records, criminal case number 2000CF004239 and the Office of the Secretary of State, State of Wisconsin pardon records.
The Hyatt Regency bellhop that held Mitchell down was identified as Herbert Williamson, 52, who told FOX6 news, that he was forced to participate by management and Erickson. Williamson is also a convicted felon, he pleaded guilty/no contest on May 2003 on one felony count for possess with intent THC under 200 grams and was sentenced to 5 months in the House of Corrections, according to Milwaukee County court records, case number 2003CF001753.
Both Williamson and Erickson have been terminated by Aimbridge Hospitality.
Mitchell's sister also says, that the Hyatt front desk female manager also struck Mitchell multiple times with a broom, while others involved beat and kicked Mitchell while inside at the Hyatt Regency Hotel, even Mitchell could be seen with his both hands up, according to new Hyatt Regency indoor video that hasn't been released, but family members and attorneys have reviewed.
A spokesperson for the Hyatt Regency Hotel on Wednesday says, that those third party employees from Aimbridge Hospitality involved in Mitchell's homicide at the Hyatt Regency should be fired and be criminally charged.
Attorney Sulton confirmed that there were more than 4 people involved. (1) off duty security, (2) hotel guest, (3) on duty security, (4) front desk manager, (5) bellman, (6) front desk agent, (7) 2nd on duty security, and more.
The Hyatt Regency Hotel representatives and police first said that Mitchell went into the hotel and caused a disturbance, then went into the women's restroom and locked himself inside with an unidentified woman inside. The woman was not injured.
The prior narrative that Mitchell had caused a disturbance and had gone into the restroom was wrong. According to the new Hyatt Regency video, Mitchell was attacked by an off-duty security guard and he ran into the women's restroom to get away from him, then other individuals from the Hyatt Regency, the bellman, and front desk worker dragged him out. Then they shoved his face into the ground so hard that it began to bleed from the forehead, mouth and nose, according to Sulton.
4 individuals including several security guards held Mitchell face down on the pavement of the Northside exit lobby driveway and placed their knees on his neck and back. Mitchell was struck multiple times by a White security guard with a retractable metal baton in the head.
Mitchell's mother says, that when she went to the Milwaukee County Medical Examiner's Office (MCMEO) to see her son Mitchell, he had his side of the face bashed in.
The MCMEO preliminary report classified Mitchell's death as a homicide.
The Milwaukee Police Department and the Milwaukee County District Attorney's Office haven't charged anyone in Mitchell's murder.
The Mitchell's family attorneys and his family want John T. Chisholm, the Milwaukee County District Attorney to criminally charge all those individuals that contributed to Mitchell's homicide.
Update: MPD Press Release
MPD Clarifies Investigation of the Tragic Death of D’Vontaye Mitchell
MILWAUKEE, WI— Today, July 12, 2024, The Milwaukee Police Department (MPD) is providing clarity to the public about our investigation of the tragic death of Mr. D’Vontaye Mitchell that occurred on June 30, 2024. At that time, MPD initiated a death investigation. Evidence was reviewed by both civilian and sworn investigators. On July 5, 2024, felony murder charges with the underlying charge of battery were referred to the Milwaukee County District Attorney’s Office against four individuals. These charges are under review and pending with the District Attorney. This is an ongoing investigation. MPD communicates regularly with the District Attorney and will provide them with additional information if received.
The Milwaukee Police Department expresses our deepest sympathy and condolences to the family and loved ones of Mr. Mitchell.
Source: Hispanic News Network U.S.A. (HNNUSA)
