BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (WIAT) — A former correctional officer has pleaded guilty to abusing the rights of an inmate whose family said was subjected to inhumane treatment in harsh conditions at the Walker County Jail before dying in a hospital.
"Collectively we did it. We killed him" are the words of former Walker County Corrections Officer Joshua Conner Jones, written in his plea agreement.
Jones, who served as a correctional officer in the Walker County Jail, pleaded guilty to two counts of conspiracy against rights and deprivation of rights under color of law following the death of Anthony "Tony" Mitchell.
According to court documents, Jones admitted to conspiring with five other codefendants, who were not named, to neglect that ultimately led to Mitchell's death.
Mitchell was a 33-year-old inmate who died hours after losing consciousness at the jail on January 26, 2023. He was booked in the jail on Jan. 12, 2023, after being arrested for firing a gun at deputies during a welfare check.
The plea agreement states Jones and the codefendants were told Mitchell was being brought to the jail because "he shot at deputies." It goes on to say they dismissed his urgent need for medical attention, saying "he gets what he gets since he shot at cops."
According to a lawsuit filed by his family, Mitchell was subjected to harsh treatment by officers while at the jail, allegedly being withheld food and water for 70 hours and being kept in frigid conditions. On Jan. 27, he was taken to a nearby hospital after losing consciousness, where he later died.
An autopsy concluded that Mitchell died from hypothermia and sepsis resulting from "medical neglect."
In the plea agreement, Jones details Mitchell's incarceration describing harsh conditions and intentional neglect from himself and other codefendants. It says he was "almost always naked, wet, cold and covered in feces."
Specifically, Jones pleaded to intimidating Mitchell to his rights as well as assaulting another inmate by striking him in the face with a spray can containing a chemical irritant.
In his plea agreement, Jones admitted that Mitchell did not receive any medical treatment until the day of his death.
Jones is facing between 10 years and life in prison on the charges. He is set for an arraignment on Aug. 15.
Following the plea deal announcement, Mitchell's sister Maranda Mitchell-Gutzemer issued a statement on behalf of his family:
"We are happy to see the individuals involved in Tony’s death being held accountable. The last year and a half have been excruciating for our family as we waited for justice for Tony, and we hope to see all those involved held accountable in the coming days. After 18 months of misery, we’re finally feeling hopeful that justice will be served, not only for Tony but all those wronged by the Walker County Sheriff's Office."
Maranda Mitchell-Gutzemer
CBS 42 reached out to both the Walker County Sheriff's Office and Jones' attorney for comment but did not receive a response by this article's publication.
The full plea agreement can be read below: