‘He’s deeply remorseful that he didn’t do more’: Another former Walker Co. Jail employee appears in court

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (WBRC) - Grayson Woods appeared in federal court Thursday, pleading not guilty to deprivation of rights under the color of law in connection to the civil rights investigation into the 2023 death of inmate Tony Mitchell.

He’s expected to enter a guilty plea in the coming weeks.

Woods is one of six defendants in this case who witnessed Mitchell’s physical and mental health deteriorate while he was housed in the Walker County Jail.

Court records indicate Mitchell was denied basic care and slept naked on a cold, cement floor. He was eventually transported by deputies to the hospital where he died. Mitchell was arrested for reportedly shooting at deputies who were conducting a welfare check at his house.

Woods' attorney, Matt Hart, noted the ‘terrible circumstances’ related to this case and the wrongdoing connected to Mitchell’s treatment in the jail.

“My client, Mr. Woods, was the most junior member of that staff at the jail,” Hart explained. “He was barely 21 years old. When this occurred, he had only been employed a few months and he had no training. He regrets and is deeply remorseful that he didn’t more to prevent what occurred there.”

Court filings reference a culture in the Walker County Jail that caused some of the defendants to avoid notifying outside authorities about Mitchell’s condition.

“My client was a young person with not a lot of experience in life and not equipped to assess everything there,” Hart added.

So far, Joshua Jones has pleaded guilty in this case. Karen Kelly, Heather Craig, Bailey Ganey and David Wyers have also been charged in this case.

Additional arrests are anticipated.

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