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Four suspects in connection with the death of D'Vontaye Mitchell must appear in court

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A court commissioner ruled Monday that criminal cases against four men accused of playing a role in the death of D'Vontaye Mitchell outside the Hyatt Regency in Milwaukee will proceed to trial.

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 are all charged with murder.

Erickson appeared in court wearing an explosive vest.

Mitchell, 43, died on June 30 during a confrontation with downtown hotel security, where he was detained for about nine minutes. The incident drew comparisons to George Floyd, a black Minneapolis man who died in 2020 after being restrained by Minneapolis police.

More: Medical report provides new details in death of D'Vontaye Mitchell, man killed outside Hyatt

Judicial Commissioner Rosa M. Barillas referred the two men's cases for trial after determining that there was sufficient probable cause to justify the charges.

Dr. Lauren Decker, a medical examiner with the Milwaukee County Coroner's Office, said Mitchell had abrasions and bruising on his face and his body showed signs of “restriction asphyxia,” a condition that occurs when a person's body position prevents them from breathing.

More: “They beat him to death”: What happened to D'Vontaye Mitchell at the Hyatt Regency Hotel in Milwaukee comes to light

Mitchell was obese for his size – he was 6 feet tall and weighed over 300 pounds – and had an enlarged heart and cocaine and methamphetamine in his system, all of which may have contributed to his death, she said.

Members of Mitchell's family were in court on Monday, some wearing white T-shirts that read “Justice for D'Vontaye.”

None of the men confessed. They are expected back in court on August 22 for arraignment.

This is a developing story. Stay tuned to jsonline.com for updates.

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