Former corrections officers at the Walker County Jail in Alabama have agreed to plead guilty to criminal charges in the death of Tony Mitchell, who froze to death after being held naked in a concrete cell for two weeks. Heather Lasha Craig will plead guilty to deprivation of rights under the color of law, while Bailey Clark Ganey will plead guilty to criminal conspiracy to deprive an inmate of their rights. Mitchell, 33, died from hypothermia and sepsis after being kept in a cold, concrete cell without essential amenities. It was reported that Mitchell was almost always naked, wet, cold, and covered in feces without access to basic necessities such as a toilet or bedding. Despite observations that Mitchell needed medical intervention, the officers failed to act, citing concerns about being labeled a “snitch” or risking future employment opportunities. Mitchell’s core body temperature had plummeted to 72 degrees Fahrenheit before he died.
The case has sparked outrage and shed light on the harsh conditions faced by inmates in the jail. The former officers are set to be arraigned in late October. Erica Williamson Barnes, Ganey’s attorney, cited her client’s young age and lack of formal education as factors in his actions. The attorney for Craig declined to comment on the case. The plea deals of all former officers involved have highlighted the need for justice and reforms in the corrections system to prevent such tragedies from happening again.
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