Former Walker County Jail Corrections Officer Pleads Guilty in Inmate Death
Joshua Connor Jones, a former corrections officer at Walker County Jail, has pleaded guilty to deprivation of civil rights under the color of law and conspiracy in relation to the death of Anthony “Tony” Mitchell in 2023. The charges were announced in August, and a second officer, Karen Kim Elsie Kelly, is also expected to plead guilty. Mitchell died in January 2023 after being held in inhumane conditions in the jail.
Jones admitted that Mitchell was often naked, wet, cold, and covered in feces while in custody. He also stated that Mitchell was denied medical care and was mistreated by jail staff. Mitchell’s death certificate listed hypothermia and sepsis resulting from infected injuries and medical neglect as the causes of death.
According to court documents, Mitchell was held in a cold cell without proper facilities and medical supervision. The record also reveals that another inmate was assaulted by Jones using a can of O.C. spray, dispersing the chemical throughout the cell.
This case has raised concerns about the treatment of inmates in Walker County Jail and has led to an ongoing investigation. Mitchell’s family has filed a federal lawsuit against the sheriff’s office, alleging abuse and medical neglect. The plea agreement states that Jones and other jailers actively denied Mitchell medical access and mistreated him during his incarceration.
Jones will be sentenced at a later date, and there are expectations of more arrests in connection to this case. The guilty pleas highlight the need for better oversight and accountability in correctional facilities to ensure the safety and well-being of inmates.
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