Four hotel workers are facing murder charges, with one defendant, Todd Alan Erickson, yet to reach a deal with prosecutors. Court records indicate that Erickson is set for a jury trial in August. The incident in question took place at the downtown Hyatt Regency hotel in Milwaukee on June 30. Police reported that a disturbance occurred involving a person who was being escorted out by security when a physical altercation ensued.
The four accused individuals, namely Erickson, Turner, Williamson, and Johnson-Carson, were employed in various capacities at the hotel. Erickson and Turner worked as security guards, Williamson as a door attendant, and Johnson-Carson as a front desk agent. The criminal complaint filed against them alleges that the victim, Mitchell, was found unconscious and unresponsive on the hotel’s driveway upon police arrival. It is claimed in the complaint that Mitchell was subjected to being tackled, punched, and kicked during the altercation.
According to video evidence reviewed by police, Mitchell was restrained on the ground for an extended period while resisting, as captured by a bystander. The footage also shows individuals kneeling on Mitchell’s back, pinning down his limbs, and striking him repeatedly. The medical examiner later determined Mitchell’s cause of death as a homicide, citing restraint asphyxia and the effects of drugs in his system as contributing factors.
In statements to authorities, Erickson denied any intentional harm towards Mitchell, while Johnson-Carson mentioned Mitchell’s complaints about breathing during the incident. The victim’s family has enlisted the legal representation of civil rights attorney Ben Crump, who emphasized the need for proper training and oversight of security personnel to prevent excessive use of force in such situations.
Efforts to reach a representative for Crump for further comment have so far been unsuccessful.
