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Who was Anthony Mitchell? Alabama inmate tortured and frozen to death in jail, claims family in lawsuit

The suit says, 'There was only a drain in the floor that could be used as a toilet. The cell was bare cement, the equivalent of a dog kennel'

WARNING: This article contains information that some people may find triggering or upsetting. Discretion is advised.

WALKER COUNTY, ALABAMA: A mentally-ill man's family alleges their loved one died while in police custody from hypothermia after spending hours imprisoned in a walk-in freezer. Anthony Mitchell died on January 26, two weeks after being arrested for attempted murder, after reportedly threatening to kill himself and others. After this incident, his family filed a lawsuit in Walker County, Alabama.

The family's 37-page federal lawsuit claims that "this is one of the most appalling cases of jail abuse the country has seen." Mitchell was dragged from jail and pulled into a patrol vehicle on January 26 before being pronounced dead, as shown in the horrifying footage of the incident. The footage disproves the sheriff's initial claim that Mitchell was experiencing a medical problem but was "alert and responsive" when he was admitted to a hospital, reports Daily Mail. 

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Who was Anthony Mitchell?

Anthony Tony Mitchell's family claims in the complaint filed on Monday, February 13, that the 33-year-old was exposed to horrendous torture at the hands of jail staff in Walker County, Alabama, which ultimately ended his life, as per a report in Reason. "Tony's death of hypothermia was the direct and proximate result of these defendants' deliberate indifference or malice, and of their ongoing denial of Tony's constitutional rights under a scheme that continued to operate after his death through the issuance of false statements to family members and the media," the complaint claims.

'Hypothermia was ultimate cause of death'

According to the family's lawsuit, the hospital staff at Walker Baptist Medical Center tried to revive him for three hours before he was pronounced dead. The doctor's statements indicate that hypothermia is thought to have been the man's cause of death. The doctor also remarks on how strange the death was. "I am not sure what circumstances the patient was held in incarceration but it is difficult to understand a rectal temperature of 72 degrees F, 22 degrees centigrade while someone is incarcerated in jail," the suit says. "The cause of his hypothermia is not clear. I do not know if he could have been exposed to a cold environment. I do believe hypothermia was the ultimate cause of death," the suit continues. The family's attorneys questioned the doctor regarding how the man would have frozen in jail. "How does a man literally freeze to death while incarcerated in a modern, climate-controlled jail, in the custody and care of corrections officers?" the lawyers questioned. 

Why was Anthony Mitchell arrested?

Anthony Tony Mitchell, 33, of Carbon Hill, was arrested by the Walker County Sheriff’s Office on Thursday, Jan 12. He was being held in the Walker County Jail after his cousin called the local police to ask for a welfare check after Mitchell, who had a history of mental illness and drug use, started to have bad delusions. The 33-year-old reportedly started acting violently and fired at least one shot at the officers before running into the woods behind his house. "This situation could have ended much differently if it weren't for the constant training of our department, incredible work by our dispatchers, assistance from other agencies, and the quick help of District Attorney Bill Adair's Office," officials said on social media. "Thankfully, the day ended with everyone safe," they continued. The man was arrested and later charged with attempted murder.

'Cell was bare cement, equivalent of dog kennel'

Mitchell's family alleges in their lawsuit that he was kept in a concrete isolation cell while being stripped naked. They assert that it took Mitchell five hours from the time he was brought out of the "frigid environment" until he arrived at the hospital. "The cell lacked a bed or other furnishing," the suit reads. "There was only a drain in the floor that could be used as a toilet. The cell was bare cement, the equivalent of a dog kennel. But unlike a dog, Tony was not even given a mat to sleep on." Currently, the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency is looking into the man's death. A family member said they had thought the man would be safe in jail. "We knew he was in jail, and we thought that was the safest place for him at the time," a family member stated. "But it turned out to be the worst place for him."

'Suffered medical emergency and became unresponsive'

The Walker County Sheriff's Office released a statement outlining Mitchell's death while in their custody shortly after he died. "On Thursday, January 27th, an inmate in the Walker County Jail was provided a routine medical check by jail medical staff," the statement reads. "Medical staff determined the inmate needed to be transported to the hospital for further evaluation. The inmate was alert and conscious when he left the facility and arrived at the hospital. Shortly after arrival at the hospital, the inmate suffered a medical emergency and became unresponsive." The statement added, "Life-saving efforts were performed by hospital staff and the inmate was ultimately revived. Unfortunately, a short time later, the inmate passed away."

'Tortured him to death'

The Internet reacted as soon as the news of his death spread. A user tweeted, "Horrible treatment for this man but not surprising for Alabama." Another user said, "I am so sad for this man and his family. He was suffering a psychotic episode and the sheriff's department tortured him to death. They should all be in prison for life, including the nurses." One user wrote, "My God they tortured this man! Why didn’t they transport him to a psych ward immediately? I’m sick reading this." "Torturous," wrote another user.

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