Settlement reached in D'Vontaye Mitchell's death, suspects headed for trial
Attorneys for D'Vontaye Mitchell, a man who died during a confrontation with staff of Milwaukee's Hyatt Regency nearly two months ago, say a settlement has been reached concerning his death.
Civil rights attorney Ben Crump, along with Milwaukee lawyers Will Sulton and B'Ivory Lamarr, released a statement Monday confirming the settlement.
“In recent weeks, we entered good faith conversations with the goal of helping to achieve resolution for the family of D’Vontaye Mitchell. We are pleased to share that we have reached an amicable settlement," read the statement. "The terms of an agreement will be confidential. The parties are pleased that they were able to resolve this matter outside of court and will have no further comment about the settlement.”
A statement from the Hyatt released Monday afternoon stated it was "pleased to learn that a settlement has been reached between the operator of the hotel and the family of D'Vontaye Mitchell."
Hyatt's third-party operator is Aimbridge Hospitality.
Ambridge, headquartered in Plano, Texas, said in a statement the settlement was "a result of the good faith discussions with the representatives of the family of D’Vontaye Mitchell with the goal of bringing the family some comfort as they mourn this tragic loss."
The Hyatt Regency, located in downtown Milwaukee on Kilbourn Avenue, played the backdrop of what would be Mitchell's final moments as he struggled with hotel staff during a June 30 confrontation on the hotel's property.
Monday's announcement came just hours after criminal cases against the four men accused of playing a role in Mitchell's death were bound over for trial by a court commissioner.
More: Medical report offers new details on the death of D'Vontaye Mitchell, man killed outside of Hyatt
Todd Alan Erickson, 60; Brandon LaDaniel Turner, 35; and Herbert T. Williamson, 52, all of Milwaukee, and Devin W. Johnson-Carson, 23, of South Milwaukee, were in court Monday. They each face a felony murder charge.
Erickson and Turner were employed by the hotel as security guards. Williamson worked as a bell driver door attendant, and Johnson-Carson was a front desk agent.
Court Commissioner Rosa M. Barillas on Monday bound each man's case over for trial after determining there was enough probable cause to warrant the charges.
Dr. Lauren Decker, a forensic pathologist for the Milwaukee County Medical Examiner's Office, said Mitchell had scrapes and bruising on his face, and his body showed evidence of "restraint asphyxia," a condition that develops when a person's body position prevents them from breathing.
Mitchell was obese for his height -- he was 6 feet tall and weighed more than 300 pounds -- had an enlarged heart, and also cocaine and methamphetamine in his system. All could have contributed to his death, she said.
Prosecutors say in court papers Mitchell was held down for roughly nine minutes.
Milwaukee police Detective Martin Saavedra testified during the hearing about video he was shown by Hyatt personnel of the incident.
The footage showed Mitchell running into the hotel's lobby, then into a gift shop. From there, he made his way to a women's restroom. Turner, one of the security guards, then is seen going into the same restroom and, moments later, escorting Mitchell out, Saavedra testified.
Turner tried to grab Mitchell, but Mitchell resisted.
Once in the lobby, the men are seen in the footage pushing each other, Saavedra recalled. That quickly evolved into punching, and at some point Mitchell hit the floor, drawing the attention of a hotel guest, who intervened.
Mitchell was then dragged outside in the valet area, and a female Hyatt employee grabbed a broomstick and began striking Mitchell.
“At some point, the individuals gained control of him and got him on his stomach," Saavedra said.
Once on his stomach, Mitchell is heard on a Facebook Live video captured by a bystander repeatedly saying "I'm sorry," Saavedra testified.
Members of Mitchell's family were in court Monday, some wearing white T-shirts that read "Justice for D'Vontaye." They would not speak to reporters as they left the courthouse.
None of the men entered a plea to the charge. They are expected back in court Aug. 22 for arraignment.
This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Settlement reached in D'Vontaye Mitchell's death, suspects head to trial
