Latest news with #TonyMitchell
Associated Press
a day ago
- Associated Press
Alabama sheriff arrested for hiring uncertified officers, including one accused of violence
The sheriff of an Alabama county mired in allegations of abuse was arrested on Monday for hiring officers without state training or certification, according to an indictment. Walker County Sheriff Nick Smith, 41, was indicted on six misdemeanors in state court, accused of hiring one deputy, four armed school resource officers and one jailer who allegedly didn't have state certification or training, according to court documents made public on Monday. Both the deputy and some school resource officers were issued department patrol cars, badges and firearms, according to the indictment. Smith has come under scrutiny in recent years for the death of Tony Mitchell, a 33-year-old mentally ill man who died of sepsis and hypothermia after being held in the local jail in 2023. At least 14 law enforcement employees for Walker County have pled guilty or been indicted on federal charges related to Mitchell's death. Smith, who was first elected sheriff in 2018, has been named in a civil lawsuit filed by Mitchell's family. At least one of the officers mentioned in Smith's indictment previously had his certification suspended in Arizona after he admitted to putting a gun to a woman's head during a traffic stop, according to sworn testimony during a civil service board meeting last month. The deputy was hired in late June as a provisional officer, which meant he wasn't allowed to execute arrests or patrol alone until he completed his state training under state law. But the deputy made three arrests and investigated three deaths, according to civil service board testimony from a fellow officer in May. Waker County Sheriff's Department Chief Deputy Ralph Williams was also arrested on Monday for allegedly lying to the Alabama Peace Officers' Standards and Training Commission, saying the officer had been terminated last November. There were no attorneys listed for Smith or Williams on Monday afternoon. Telephone and email messages seeking comment were left with the Walker County Sheriff's Office. Smith called the May civil service board hearing a 'sham' and 'political circus' while he was questioned. ___ Riddle is a corps member for The Associated Press/Report for America Statehouse News Initiative. Report for America is a nonprofit national service program that places journalists in local newsrooms to report on undercovered issues.
Washington Post
5 days ago
- Health
- Washington Post
Corrections officer to plead guilty in connection with man's death in an Alabama jail
MONTGOMERY, Ala. — A corrections officer on Wednesday agreed to plead guilty to federal charges in the case of a mentally ill man who froze to death in an Alabama jail. Braxton Kee is the 14th employee who has been indicted or pleaded guilty to contributing to the death of Tony Mitchell, 33, who died after being incarcerated in the Walker County jail in January 2023. Kee's plea agreement, like many other deals that were filed before his, said that a culture of retaliation made him afraid to report Mitchell's deadly conditions.
Yahoo
06-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
‘God, You Got It Wrong' theatrical performance set for May 11 in Birmingham
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (WIAT) — Lady Ge' is presenting its latest theatrical 'God, You Got It Wrong,' on Sunday, May 11. Billboard honoring Tony Mitchell placed in Walker County There will be two performances at Uptown Jazz Lounge, with the first at 2 p.m., and the other at 6 p.m. The performance takes place in a courtroom where plaintiffs and defense are pleading their case to God about 'Mr. Right.' 'We're thrilled to bring 'God, You Got It Wrong' to life,' says GeNeise 'Lady Ge' Fuller, Playwright at Lady Ge' Presents. 'This play is a testament to the enduring power of storytelling, and we can't wait to share it with our audience.' Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to CBS 42.
Yahoo
06-05-2025
- Yahoo
57-year-old man killed in Walker County crash
WALKER COUNTY, Ala. (WIAT) — A single-vehicle crash in Walker County left a 57-year-old man dead early Tuesday morning. Carlton Lawson, of Nauvoo, was injured when the Toyota Venza he was driving left the roadway and struck a tree around 12 a.m. He was not using a seat belt at the time of the crash and was pronounced dead at the scene. Billboard honoring Tony Mitchell placed in Walker County The crash occurred on Dogwood Road near Walden Road. Alabama Law Enforcement Agency will continue to investigate. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to CBS 42.
