Ten prison guards in New York were charged in connection with the death of 22-year-old inmate Messiah Nantwi, who died from a severe assault by the guards last month. The incident took place on March 1 at a medium-security facility and involved a series of assaults that continued even after Nantwi was handcuffed. Six guards are accused of the assault, while four others face charges for attempting to cover it up, including filing false reports and staging the crime scene to destroy evidence. All charged have pleaded not guilty.
Nantwi’s death follows another incident earlier this year when another inmate, Robert Brooks, was fatally injured at a nearby facility, leading to multiple charges against guards involved. The Utica prison has struggled with staffing issues, which were highlighted during a recent strike by security guards protesting working conditions.
The guards charged include Jonah Levy and Caleb Blair, who face second-degree murder charges, while others face various manslaughter charges for their roles in the violence and subsequent inaction. The indictment alleges that the guards not only assaulted Nantwi but also coordinated a cover-up, including planting weapons in his cell to fabricate a narrative.
In response to the charges, all ten guards have either resigned or been suspended without pay, and New York Governor Kathy Hochul has initiated termination proceedings for those involved in the incident. Nantwi was serving a five-year sentence for a previous weapons-related offense connected to a police shooting.
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