Probe continues into freezing death of Alabama jail prisoner

<p>Tony Mitchell, who was held for nearly two weeks in a concrete cell known as “The Freezer” at the Walker County Jail. The medical examiner says he froze to death. Meahwhile, Sheriff Nick Smith denies any wrongdoing and is seeking reelection. <a href="https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2026/03/09/alabama-jail-death-police-brutality-mental-illness/88867411007" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">What happened to Tony Mitchell inside cell BK 5?</a> USA TODAY National Extremism Correspondent Will Carless and USA TODAY Investigative Reporter Gina Barton, who investigated Mitchell’s death and the jail, join The Excerpt to discuss why jailers in Walker County are facing civil rights charges.</p><p>Let us know what you think of this episode by sending an email to&nbsp;<a href="mailto:podcasts@usatoday.com" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">podcasts@usatoday.com</a>.&nbsp;</p><p>Episode transcript&nbsp;<a href="https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2026/03/09/walker-county-jail-inmates-freezing-death-spurs-ongoing-probe-the-excerpt/89023308007/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">available here</a>.&nbsp;</p><p>See Privacy Policy at <a href="https://art19.com/privacy" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://art19.com/privacy</a> and California Privacy Notice at <a href="https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info</a>.</p>