<p>An Alabama man died in police custody after he was allegedly locked in a kitchen freezer as punishment, the man’s family says in its lawsuit against the police department.</p>
<p>Anthony Don Mitchell, 33, was arrested on January 12 after Walker County Sheriff’s Office (WCSO) deputies received a call from a person identified as a concerned family member, who said Mitchell had been making statements indicating he could harm himself or others, WBRC <a href="https://www.actionnews5.com/2023/02/15/graphic-man-froze-death-after-being-locked-jails-kitchen-freezer-punishment-lawsuit-says/">reported</a>. When deputies arrived at the scene, Mitchell was in the front yard and brandished a handgun at the deputies, according to the WCSO. He allegedly fired immediately at deputies and ran into the woods behind the home.</p>
<p>Multiple agencies worked to secure the area and eventually took Mitchell into custody, charging him with attempted murder. Deputies also said they found methamphetamine, heroin, and a handgun at the home.</p>
<p>Something happened while Mitchell was in police custody and was taken to the hospital. His family alleges that he faced “hours of neglect” and was locked inside a walk-in freezer “or similar frigid environment” in the jail’s kitchen as punishment for his behavior, WIAT <a href="https://www.cbs42.com/regional/after-release-of-video-lawsuit-claims-alabama-man-froze-to-death-in-police-custody-was-likely-placed-in-jail-freezer/">reported</a>.</p>
<p>The Sheriff’s Office said in a statement to WBRC that Mitchell had been taken to the hospital on January 26 and “became unresponsive at the hospital, where he was pronounced deceased.” Attorneys for his mother, however, released security camera footage from the jail showing officers carrying Mitchell’s body out of the facility to an awaiting vehicle. In the footage, Mitchell appears unresponsive.</p>
<p>“This is one of the most appalling cases of jail abuse the country has seen,” the 37-page federal lawsuit says, according to WIAT. “On the night of January 25 to January 26, 2023, Anthony Don Mitchell (“Tony”) froze to death while incarcerated at the Walker County Jail.”</p>
<p>Mitchell’s death, the complaint adds, “raises an appalling question: how does a man literally freeze to death while incarcerated in a modern, climate-controlled jail, in the custody and care of corrections officers?”</p>
<p>The lawsuit also alleges that Mitchell was “likely… placed in a restraint chair in the jail kitchen’s walk-in freezer or similar frigid environment and left there for hours.”</p>
<p>Mitchell’s treatment only came to light after a correctional officer released footage. Jon Goldfarb, the attorney representing Mitchell’s family, said that officer <a href="https://www.cbs42.com/digital-exclusive/unsatisfactory-service-sheriff-fired-officer-who-blew-whistle-on-treatment-of-mentally-ill-man-lawsuit-alleges/">was later fired</a>. Surveillance footage of his body being carried out of the jail was sent to local media outlets.</p>
<p>The video, WIAT reported, contradicted an earlier claim from the WCSO that Mitchell was “alert and conscious” when he left the jail for a local hospital.</p>
<p>“I am not sure what circumstances the patient was held in incarceration but it is difficult to understand a rectal temperature of 72° F 22° centigrade while someone is incarcerated in jail,” an emergency room doctor wrote in notes, according to the lawsuit. “The cause of his hypothermia is not clear. It is possible he had an underlying medical condition resulting in hypothermia. I do not know if he could have been exposed to a cold environment. I do believe that hypothermia was the ultimate cause of his death.”</p>
<p>Additional surveillance video screenshots reportedly showed Mitchell was naked during his incarceration. His family’s lawsuit said he was kept in a concrete isolation cell, like “a dog kennel,” during his two weeks in custody.</p>
<p>“The cell lacked a bed or other furnishing,” the lawsuit 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. But unlike a dog, Tony was not even given a mat to sleep on.”</p>
<p>Mitchell’s death is being investigated by state police.</p>

<script async src="https://www.instagram.com/embed.js"></script>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
<script async src="https://www.tiktok.com/embed.js"></script><div data-widget-host="revcontent" data-pub-id="165152" data-widget-id="290588"></div><script src="https://delivery.revcontent.com/165152/290588/widget.js"></script>

A Man In Police Custody Died After Being Locked In A Kitchen Freezer, His Family Says In A Lawsuit

‘Dangerous Precedent’: Court Sides With University Over Jury in False Rape Defamation Case

Trevor Bauer Wins Lawsuit Against False Accuser. Will The MLB Take Him Back?

Trump Admin Bans Illegal Immigrants From Getting Taxpayer-Backed Mortgages

Texas Man Arrested After Video Allegedly Shows Him Ramming ATV Into Tesla

Kristi Noem Tours El Salvador’s Gang Prison Before Threatening To Deport More Criminals

Columbia Anti-Israel Group Reactivated Instagram Account Just Before Oct. 7 Attack, Lawsuit Says

News

Alabama

Lawsuit

Police

U.S.

A video goes viral showing a baby being refused his mother by two gay "dads". This is just the tip of the iceberg, which is why we will have an important discussion today about surrogacy. 

Hour 1

The Matt Walsh Show

Ep. 1765 - This Video Is One Of The Worst Things I've Seen In A Long Time 

The Strait of Hormuz officially opens for business (kind of), the Pope makes “shocking” comments on immigration, and President Trump promises UFO disclosure at TPUSA. 


The Michael Knowles Show

Ep. 1956 -  Pope Leo's "SHOCKING" Immigration Comments EXPLAINED

A false miscreed has corrupted our leadership class.


The Andrew Klavan Show

Ep. 1275 - Dumb, Dumber and Progressive

President Trump announces a 10-day ceasefire between Lebanon and Israel, a murder-suicide involving former Democratic Lieutenant Governor Justin Fairfax shakes Virginia, and France and Britain hold a conference to secure the Strait of Hormuz – after the Iranian conflict ends. Get the facts first with Morning Wire.

- - -

Ep. 2738

- - -

Wake up with new Morning Wire merch: https://bit.ly/4lIubt3

- - -

Today's Sponsors:

Alliance Defending Freedom - Visit https://JoinADF.com/WIRE or text 'WIRE' to 83848 to learn more.

Pocket Hose - Text MORNING to 64000 to get a FREE pocket pivot and their 10-pattern sprayer with the purchase of ANY size Copper Head hose. Message and data rates may apply.

Morning Wire

U.S. Expands Hormuz Blockade & VA Fairfax Deaths Investigated | 4.17.26

U.S. Expands Hormuz Blockade & VA Fairfax Deaths Investigated | 4.17.26 [Member Exclusive]

A ceasefire goes into effect between Israel and Lebanon, a tragic murder-suicide rocks Virginia, and Dairy Queen deploys AI in the drive-thru. Get the facts first with Evening Wire.
- - -
Ep. 2737
- - -
Wake up with new Morning Wire merch: https://bit.ly/4lIubt3 
- - -
Today’s Sponsor:

Alliance Defending Freedom - Visit https://JoinADF.com/WIRE or text “WIRE” to 83848 to learn more.


Evening Wire: Lebanon Ceasefire Begins & Murder-Suicide Rocks VA | 4.16.26

The Pendragon Cycle

Menu

— News —

A Man In Police Custody Died After Being Locked In A Kitchen Freezer, His Family Says In A Lawsuit