The murder trials of former Columbus vice officer Andrew Mitchell were featured Thursday night in a new episode of A&E’s “Taking the Stand.”
The true crime show focuses on defendants who testify in their own defense, which Mitchell did.
Here’s what you need to know.
Who is former Columbus police officer Andrew Mitchell?
Andrew Mitchell is a former Columbus vice officer indicted in April 2019 for the killing of 23-year-old Donna Dalton Castleberry.
On Aug. 23, 2018, Mitchell was working undercover in plain clothes and driving an unmarked car when he picked up Castleberry, who was working as a prostitute, on Columbus’s West Side.
He drove her to a nearby apartment building, parked the car against a wall and engaged the vehicle’s child locks, trapping her inside. He told Castleberry she was under arrest but did not have his police badge or radio when she asked for proof of his identity, according to prosecutors.
Mitchell testified that he showed her a plastic police badge, some blank police paperwork and handcuffs instead. A scuffle broke out, and Castleberry slashed Mitchell on the hand. He fired six rounds from his gun, hitting her three times. She died shortly after at the OhioHealth Grant Medical Center.
After a mistrial in 2022, Mitchell retried in 2023. The jury found him not guilty on April 18, 2023.
But Mitchell’s criminal charges extend beyond the Castleberry case. In March 2019, a federal grand jury indicted him on charges alleging he forced women to have sex with him to avoid arrest, witness tampering and lying to FBI investigators.
He pleaded guilty to two counts of deprivation of rights under color of law and one count of obstruction of justice in December. He could face seven to eleven years in prison, but the five years he’s spent under arrest since 2019 will go toward his sentence.
His next sentencing hearing is scheduled for May 9.
Where can I watch A&E’s ‘Taking the Stand’?
Cable subscribers can watch the Andrew Mitchell episode of ‘Taking the Stand’ (season 3, episode 11) on A&E’s website. Viewers have to log in with their cable providers before they can watch.
Individual episodes of ‘Taking the Stand’ are available for purchase on Youtube, Apple TV and Amazon Prime. As of Friday morning, only Youtube had the Andrew Mitchell episode available for purchase.
You can also catch ‘Taking the Stand’ when it airs on A&E through your cable provider or other services like Hulu TV and Youtube TV.
Where can I read more about the Andrew Mitchell case?
Columbus Dispatch reporter Bethany Bruner—who was featured on Thursday’s ‘Taking the Stand’ episode— covered the Mitchell trials extensively. Here’s the whole Andrew Mitchell saga in reverse chronological order.
-
Former Columbus cop admits to holding women against their will, may get 11 years in prison, Dec. 7, 2023
-
What’s next for ex-Columbus cop Andrew Mitchell after not guilty verdict in murder trial? April 18, 2023
-
Jury deliberating if former Columbus vice officer is guilty of murder, April 18, 2023
-
Former Columbus vice officer Andrew Mitchell testifies he shot out of fear for his life, April 14, 2023
-
Was shooting murder or justified? Trial of former Columbus officer Andrew Mitchell underway, April 11, 2023
-
Who is former Columbus police vice officer Andrew Mitchell and why is he on trial?, April 5, 2023
-
New details revealed in unsealed warrants in federal case against former Columbus vice cop Andrew Mitchell, Feb. 9, 2023
-
Trial, hung jury in Andrew Mitchell case bring no relief for family of Donna Castleberry, April 18, 2022
-
Judge declares mistrial in former Columbus police officer Andrew Mitchell’s case, April 15, 2022
-
‘She was trying to kill me,’ former Columbus vice cop Mitchell testifies at murder trial, April 11, 2022
-
Prosecutors nearly done with case against former Columbus police officer Andrew Mitchell, April 7, 2022
-
‘Please help me!’ Final moments of Donna Castleberry’s life heard in Mitchell murder trial, April 5, 2022
-
Jury selection underway in trial of former Columbus police vice officer accused of murder, April 4, 2022
-
Attorney for ex-cop Andrew Mitchell says case is warning to other officers, June 4, 2020
-
More federal charges filed against former CPD Vice officer Andrew Mitchell, April 18, 2019
-
Former undercover cop Andrew Mitchell had no badge at fatal shooting, court docs show, April 5, 2019
@PartofMyHart
This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Andrew Mitchell, former Columbus cop, featured on A&E true crime show
Amanda Smith is a dedicated U.S. correspondent with a passion for uncovering the stories that shape the nation. With a background in political science, she provides in-depth analysis and insightful commentary on domestic affairs, ensuring readers are well-informed about the latest developments across the United States.
