Police Refer Felony Murder Charges over Death of Milwaukee Man Held Down by Guards
A shocking incident that unfolded last month at a hotel in Milwaukee has made its way to the national headlines. A black man, D’Vontaye Mitchell, died after being forcefully restrained by the hotel’s security guards. The Milwaukee Police Department has sent the district attorney a recommendation for felony murder charges against the involved parties. The chilling ordeal was captured in a video that shows four people restraining the man on the concrete, pleading for help.
The Disturbing Incident
According to the police department, 43-year-old Mitchell entered the city’s Hyatt Regency Hotel and allegedly caused a disturbance. This led to an altercation with the hotel’s security guards who tried to detain him. The disturbing video, shot by bystanders, encapsulates the subsequent chain of events.
Four security officers held down Mitchell on the concrete. Disturbingly, at least one individual can be seen with his knee pressed onto Mitchell’s back, a hauntingly similar scene reminding people of George Floyd’s tragic incident. Mitchell was reportedly unresponsive when the police arrived at the scene. He was later pronounced dead.
A Grieving Widow Speaks
Mitchell’s widow, DeAsia Harmon, expressed her sorrows during a rally held outside the county courthouse this past week. She recalled the heart-wrenching sight of her husband being beaten repeatedly by the security guards and questioned why they chose not to release him. She described the incident as detrimental to her husband’s dignity and character.
The Pursuit For Justice
Late Mitchell’s sister, Nayisha Mitchell, shared her anguish over losing a family member in such a heartbreaking manner. While discussing the case,she mentioned efforts from her family and the attorney, Benjamin Crump, to investigate the incident further and bring justice to D’Vontaye.
Crump, a seasoned lawyer, who has represented families in similar tragic circumstances in the past, has been scrutinizing security camera footage from inside the hotel. He mentions the footage showing D’Vontaye being chased through the hotel, and later, being dragged out of a bathroom; being punched, kicked, and brutalized by the operating staff. According to Mr. Crump, the footage highlights the brutality of the incident, much like the infamous George Floyd episode.
Charges
Recognizing the severity of the incident, the Milwaukee Police Department has referred felony murder charges to the district attorney. The incident is being thoroughly investigated, and the police are treating the death as a homicide. Crump expressed satisfaction with the steps taken by the Police and the District Attorney but emphasized constant vigilance until a conviction is secured.
Persisting Doubts
One of the many persisting doubts remains Mitchell’s mental health at the time of the incident. His sister revealed his past struggle with depression. Although unsure about his exact state during the unfortunate event, she suggested that he might have been experiencing a mental breakdown.
Repeated Incidents
Such incidents of excessive use of force have become distressingly common, especially involving black men. Mr. Crump expressed his exasperation over repeated instances of black men in prone positions begging for their lives but being ignored repeatedly, and ultimately paying the price with their lives. He hopes this case brings changes in how the law enforcement and quasi-law enforcement agencies deal with such situations in the future.
