Milwaukee Hotel Employees Charged with Felony Murder in D'Vontaye Mitchell's Death

Prosecutors have charged four hotel employees in Milwaukee with involvement in the felony murder of D'Vontaye Mitchell, who died after an incident at the HYatt Hotel on June 30, 2023.

Details of the Incident

The criminal complaint reveals that the four employees dragged D'Vontaye Mitchell out of the Hyatt Hotel after he allegedly entered a women's restroom. Witnesses report that the employees restrained him on the ground for eight to nine minutes, during which time he appeared to be in distress and pleaded for help. Cellphone footage captured the employees holding Mitchell down on the hotel's driveway, with statements urging him to "stay down" and "stop fighting." A bystander, Shawn Moore, recalled hearing screams coming from the hotel while he was nearby, and an autopsy revealed that Mitchell had pre-existing health issues and substances in his system at the time of his death.

Legal and Civil Actions

Mitchell's relatives and their lawyers previously reviewed hotel surveillance video, which showed Mitchell being pursued by security personnel inside the hotel and later subjected to physical restraint outside. Civil rights attorney Ben Crump, part of the legal team representing Mitchell's family, has raised concerns about the apparent excessive use of force by the hotel staff. He has also questioned the delayed legal response from Milwaukee authorities regarding Mitchell's death. Concurrently, Aimbridge Hospitality, the hotel management company, confirmed the termination of several employees involved in the incident.

Legal Proceedings and Charges

The charges against the four hotel employees include being a party to felony murder, indicating their potential involvement in an act that resulted in Mitchell's death. The details of the case continue to unfold as the legal proceedings progress, with implications for both the individuals charged and the broader issues surrounding the incident.