The Lakeland Police Department announced the charges on Friday after the medical examiner ruled that Mr. Wisham had died of “mechanical asphyxia,” or choking, from being restrained, and that he had 15 broken ribs.

Image Kenneth Edgar Wisham Credit... Polk County Sheriff's Office

Facing one manslaughter charge each were Nathan Allen Higgins, 35, a manager; Crucelis Nunez, 23, a customer service manager; and Randall Eugene Tomko, 58, a loss prevention officer, according to the police affidavits.

The three appeared before a county judge on Friday after their arrest the day before. Mr. Higgins posted a $2,500 bond and was released on Saturday, his lawyer, James Franklin, said on Tuesday. An arraignment was scheduled for Aug. 30, but Mr. Franklin said a written plea of not guilty was entered.

Lawyers for the other defendants could not be reached Tuesday afternoon for comment.

A Walmart spokesman, Charles Crowson, said on Tuesday that the workers had been suspended and their job status was under review. He did not have immediate replies to questions about the company’s policy and training on how workers should stop shoplifters, and whether this was the first time Walmart employees have been charged in such cases.

Attempts to stop shoplifting suspects have come under scrutiny in cases where force is used or employees or bystanders have stepped in. In two separate cases in Indiana and Michigan last year, customers with guns saw store employees chasing shoplifters and tried to help by opening fire as the suspects drove off.