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4 plead not guilty, 2 receive bail reduction

The four men accused of killing a man outside a downtown Milwaukee hotel have pleaded not guilty. Surveillance video shows Todd Erickson, Brandon Turner, Devin Johnson-Carter and Herbert Williamson pinning 43-year-old D'Vontaye Mitchell to the ground outside the Hyatt Regency hotel on June 30. All four men charged in the case have pleaded not guilty. Two of the men, Brandon Turner and Todd Erickson, who are currently in custody, requested a bail reduction. Judge David Swanson of the Milwaukee District Court granted the request. “I believe the defense has met its burden to prove that a bail reduction is appropriate in this case. I grant this motion by the defense and offer a bail reduction to $5,000,” Judge Swanson said. Mitchell's mother expressed disappointment at the bail reduction granted and reiterated her desire for full justice for her son. “I'm upset. This is just unacceptable, as unacceptable as a slap in the face to me and my family… No reduction is possible. This is inappropriate. No reduction. I did not expect this,” said Brenda Giles, Mitchell's mother. The family's attorney also spoke about the role they believe Todd Erickson played in Mitchell's death. “$5,000 is just not appropriate given the charges the defendants are facing in this case, particularly one of the defendants, Turner, Ericsson. And we believe they bear the most culpability of all four defendants. The other defendants in this case have clearly stated that they took superior orders from these individuals, particularly Erickson,” said B'Ivory Lamarr. The next court date for the four men is October 15.

MILWAUKEE —

The four men accused of killing a man outside a downtown Milwaukee hotel have pleaded not guilty.

Surveillance video shows Todd Erickson, Brandon Turner, Devin Johnson-Carter and Herbert Williamson pinning 43-year-old D'Vontaye Mitchell to the ground outside the Hyatt Regency Hotel on June 30. All four men charged in the case have pleaded not guilty.

Two of the men currently in custody, Brandon Turner and Todd Erickson, requested a bail reduction, and Judge David Swanson of Milwaukee County Court granted the request.

“I believe the defense has met its burden to show that a bail reduction is appropriate here. I grant this defense motion to reduce bail to $5,000,” Judge Swanson said.

During today's hearing, D'Vontaye Mitchell's mother spoke against the bail reduction, citing several reasons why she believes the two men should not be granted a reduction.

She mentioned that Todd Erickson has a tattoo revealing his thoughts about D'Vontaye Mitchell and talked about the nightmares the situation and the video caused.

The family's attorney also spoke about the role they believe Todd Erickson played in Mitchell's death.

“$5,000 is simply not appropriate given the charges that the defendants are accused of in this case, particularly for one of the defendants, Turner, Ericsson. And we believe that they are the most culpable of all four defendants. The other defendants in this case have clearly stated that they took superior orders from these individuals, particularly Erickson,” said B'Ivory Lamarr.

Mitchell's mother expressed her disappointment at the bail reduction granted and reiterated her desire for full justice for her son.

“I'm upset. This is just unacceptable, as unacceptable as a slap in the face to me and my family. Downsizing is not possible. This is not OK. No downsizing. I did not expect this,” said Brenda Giles, Mitchell's mother.

The next court date for the four men is October 15.

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