Former Walker County corrections officers, member of medical staff appear in court

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (WBRC) - A former Walker County corrections officer and member of the medical staff appeared in federal court Thursday in connection to the 2023 death of inmate Tony Mitchell.

Right now, six people who worked in the jail are charged in the federal case.

Daniel Wyers is a member of the medical team responsible for caring for inmates. Wyers agreed to plead guilty in connection to the in-custody death of Mitchell. In court documents, Wyers admitted to not caring for Mitchell when he was specifically asked to do so.

Bailey Clark Gainey is a former corrections officer who also agreed to plead guilty.

Because of the procedural nature of the case, Wyers and Gainey both pleaded not guilty on Thursday and will change their plea at a later date.

Another former corrections officer, Betty Jo Cooley, also appeared in court Thursday. Cooley is not connected to the death of Mitchell. However, she has agreed to plead guilty to falsifying records related to an assault of another inmate.

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