NEWS / Death Certificate Confirms Alabama Inmate's Death Ruled Homicide

The death of Anthony "Tony" Mitchell, an inmate at the Walker County Jail in Alabama, has been officially ruled a homicide, as per a newly released death certificate. The revelation has set the stage for potential criminal charges against those involved. The State Bureau of Investigations and the FBI are currently conducting a thorough inquiry into the matter.

According to documents obtained by WBRC Fox 6 News from the attorney representing Mitchell's family, the manner of death has been determined as homicide. This finding contrasts with previous state records that had listed the cause of death as pending investigation.

The death certificate identifies the cause of death as hypothermia and sepsis, stemming from infected injuries sustained during Mitchell's time in custody and subsequent medical neglect.

Legal experts anticipate a range of possible charges in connection with Mitchell's death. Roger Appell, a local defense attorney, explains, "Murder, manslaughter, or criminally negligent homicide each one is lower than the other... So there is a big difference in those types of charges."

Mitchell's family has taken legal action against the sheriff's department, alleging that he was unlawfully confined inside a freezer prior to his death. In response to the lawsuit, the Walker County Sheriff's Office has refuted most of the accusations leveled by Mitchell's family.

Lead attorney for the sheriff's office, Randy McNeill, has denied claims that Mitchell was placed in a freezer or kept naked in a jail cell, as reported by WBRC.

The dispute has escalated further with the emergence of video footage, shared by Mitchell's family's lawyers, depicting events leading up to his hospitalization and subsequent demise. Although the sheriff's department contests the depiction of events in the video, asserting that it does not offer a complete narrative, both parties acknowledge that Mitchell was still alive at the time of the recording.

The footage captures moments where Mitchell is being moved from his cell to a wheelchair, displaying signs of distress. However, discrepancies arise concerning the handling of Mitchell's medical emergency and the timing of medical intervention.