Sixth Guilty Plea Linked to Death of Mentally Ill Inmate Left in Cold Cell
An Alabama nurse who worked at the Walker County Jail has agreed to plead guilty to a federal charge related to the death of Tony Mitchell, a mentally ill inmate who died of hypothermia in January 2023 after being held in a concrete cell. Daniel Wyers, the sixth person to plead guilty in the case, will face federal charges for deprivation of civil rights under color of law, according to court records.
Failure to Provide Care Due to “Perceived Jail Culture”
Federal prosecutors outlined in Wyers’ plea agreement that he neglected Mitchell’s medical needs because he deemed the man unworthy of care and feared repercussions from his employer if he acted against the prevailing practices within the jail. Employed by a medical contractor providing services at Walker County Jail, Wyers is accused of failing to assess Mitchell’s mental health despite a request from the facility’s nurse practitioner.
Circumstances Leading to Mitchell’s Death
Mitchell, 33, died on January 26, 2023, after being moved from Walker County Jail to a hospital, where doctors determined his death was caused by hypothermia and medical neglect leading to sepsis. He was arrested on January 12 following reports from a family member that he was experiencing a mental health crisis. When taken into custody, Mitchell reportedly exhibited signs of disorientation and had blue paint on his face, according to prosecutors.
Mitchell was confined to a concrete cell often used as a “drunk tank,” where he was left unclothed without any bedding in cold winter conditions. The plea agreement noted that the cement floor of the cell was “notoriously cold” during the winter, compounding Mitchell’s suffering.
A Growing List of Defendants
Five jail staff members have already pleaded guilty in the case, facing various charges related to the failure to provide necessary medical care to Mitchell. Wyers’ attorney declined to comment on the case.
Mitchell’s tragic death has drawn significant scrutiny to the treatment of mentally ill individuals within the correctional system, prompting calls for systemic changes in jail protocols and increased accountability among jail employees and medical staff.
