MADISON, Wis. — The saga involving former hotel workers from Milwaukee accused of involvement in a man’s death last summer is unfolding with the latest plea deal reached by one accused individual. On Thursday, Devin Johnson-Carson became the third defendant to settle with prosecutors.
The Milwaukee County District Attorney’s Office initially charged Johnson-Carson, a former Hyatt hotel front desk employee, with being an accomplice in felony murder pertaining to the death of D’Vontaye Mitchell in June 2024. Court records now show that he pleaded guilty to a lesser charge of misdemeanor battery.
Johnson-Carson’s lawyer emphasized that his client’s guilty plea addresses the physical altercation with Mitchell prior to him being held on the ground, asserting that Johnson-Carson was not responsible for Mitchell’s demise.
The attorney’s office has refrained from making public comments regarding the plea arrangement, citing the ongoing nature of the case.
Johnson-Carson could face up to nine months of imprisonment before the scheduled sentencing on September 3. Had he been convicted on the initial felony murder charge, he would have confronted a possible 15-year and nine-month prison term.
Investigative reports outline a chaotic scene when Mitchell dashed into the Hyatt’s lobby, intruding into the women’s restroom. Two women reported that Mitchell attempted to barricade them inside. Responders included security guard Brandon Turner and a guest who engaged in a scuffle with Mitchell, ejecting him into the driveway. Turner, security colleague Todd Erickson, bellhop Herbert Williamson, and Johnson-Carson collectively subdued Mitchell, pinning him down for close to nine minutes.
Video from hotel security systems captured Johnson-Carson holding down Mitchell’s legs while the others managed his torso. By the time emergency services arrived, Mitchell was no longer breathing. An examination by the Milwaukee County medical authorities found he had significant health issues, including heart disease, obesity, and substances like cocaine and methamphetamine in his bloodstream, leading to suffocation. The death was ruled a homicide. The defense maintains that Johnson-Carson’s actions did not contribute to the fatal outcome.
Legal representatives for Mitchell’s family have drawn comparisons between his case and the widely publicized 2020 incident involving the death of George Floyd, emphasizing racial aspects, as Mitchell was also African American, while two of the defendants are black, and Erickson is identified as white.
The accused stated they were only trying to manage a resistant Mitchell who allegedly attempted to bite Erickson, insisting there was no malicious intent. Subsequently, their employer, Ambridge Hospitality, dismissed all four involved personnel in July.
As the case progresses, Erickson faces a trial come August over similar felony murder allegations. The plea agreement with Johnson-Carson obligates him to possibly testify against Erickson if required.
Earlier arrangements have seen Turner plead guilty to felony murder involvement, while Williamson has also agreed to testify after pleading guilty to misdemeanor battery instead.
Both Turner and Williamson are expected to receive their sentences on September 3.
This article updates previous misstatements regarding Johnson-Carson’s potential sentencing under the felony murder charge.