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. What happened to Tony Mitchell inside cell BK 5? 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.

Let us know what you think of this episode by sending an email to podcasts@usatoday.com. 

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.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;

USA TODAY’s daily news podcast, The Excerpt (formerly 5 Things), brings you a curated mix of the most important headlines seven mornings a week. We also deliver special deep-dive episodes on Wednesday and Thursday afternoons on the most compelling topics in culture, entertainment, sports, politics, and more. Give us fifteen minutes a day, we'll give you all of the headlines, none of the chaos. Hosted by Taylor Wilson and Dana Taylor.  

USA TODAY’s daily news podcast, The Excerpt (formerly 5 Things), brings you a curated mix of the most important headlines seven mornings a week. We also deliver special deep-dive episodes on Wednesday and Thursday afternoons on the most compelling topics in culture, entertainment, sports, politics, and more. Give us fifteen minutes a day, we'll give you all of the headlines, none of the chaos. Hosted by Taylor Wilson and Dana Taylor.&nbsp;&nbsp;