Four Hotel Workers Plead Not Guilty in Homicide

Four former employees of the Hyatt Hotel in Milwaukee, including two security guards, a bellhop, and a front desk worker, pleaded not guilty to felony murder charges related to the death of D'Vontaye Mitchell. The incident occurred on June 30, when Mitchell was pinned down for eight to nine minutes by the men after he allegedly attempted to lock two women in a bathroom. Surveillance footage and witness accounts corroborated the events leading to his death, which was ruled a homicide due to suffocation, exacerbated by his pre-existing health conditions and drug presence in his system. During court proceedings, the defendants' attorneys argued that their clients acted to protect hotel guests and denied any wrongful intent in Mitchell's death. The case has drawn comparisons to the murder of George Floyd, highlighting ongoing concerns about excessive force used by individuals in authority. As the legal process unfolds, the defendants have also requested bond reductions, with some being granted a lower bond amount.