Family of Dvontaye Mitchell seeks justice after death

MILWAUKEE – Family and friends continued their fight for justice for Dvontaye Mitchell Monday afternoon.

Milwaukee police said he was found dead outside the Hyatt Regency Hotel on June 30.

His family hired nationally known civil rights attorney Ben Crump. Crump said that according to Milwaukee police, Mitchell’s altercation with security at the Hyatt Regency led to his death.

At a press conference just outside the Hyatt Regency Hotel, Mitchell’s wife, DeAsia Harmon, said he did not deserve this death.

“They murdered him and are trying to cover it up,” Harmon said.

Harmon said she wants everyone to know he was a kind and gentle man.

“He was a loving father, a loving husband, a brother, a son,” Harmon said. “He was so smart and he was fun.”

Crump pointed to video footage from witnesses showing security guards, hired through a third-party company, pressing their knees on Mitchell’s back and neck.

Crump said he believes they killed him. He also called Mitchell’s death a result of inadequate training.

(Photo courtesy of Dvontaye Mitchell’s family)

“After the George Floyd case, everyone in America should have trained their employees, especially their security personnel, not to knee people on the back or neck,” Crump said.

Attorney Will Sulton called for transparency and accountability in the police investigation.

“We all witnessed a murder,” Sulton said. “That’s it. You witnessed it. Every day in this city. We have people being charged in 24-, 48-, 72-hour increments, and you tell me something that’s on video and you can’t make a decision. That’s wrong, folks.”

For this reason, Harmon and the rest of Mitchell’s family said they will speak out until justice is served.

“They’re saying that because of his looks or his size or whatever, he deserves what they did to him,” Harmon said. “No, that’s not right and I will not stand for that. We will stand together and get justice for Dvontaye.”

The family plans to hold a candlelight vigil for Mitchell at 7 p.m. Wednesday outside the Hyatt Regency. His funeral will be held at 11 a.m. Thursday, July 11, at Holy Redeemer Church.

(Spectrum News 1/Phillip Boudreaux)

Milwaukee police issued the following statement on Monday:

There is no update and this investigation is being reviewed by the Milwaukee County District Attorney’s Office for possible charges. The investigation is ongoing.

The Milwaukee County District Attorney’s Office issued the following statement regarding Mitchell’s death:

The matter has been referred to our office and is currently pending further investigation. There is currently no timeline for a charging decision.