10 Prison Guards Facing Charges, Including 2 for Murder, in Beating Death of N.Y. Inmate

10 Prison Guards Facing Charges in Beating Death of N.Y. Inmate

Authorities in New York State have charged 10 prison guards in connection with the fatal beating of a 22-year-old inmate in March. Messiah Nantwi, 22, died on March 1 from “massive head trauma” in addition to “numerous injuries to his body,” the Associated Press reported, citing an indictment. The young man was at the Mid-State Correctional Facility in Marcy, N.Y., when he was killed.

Jonah Levi and Caleb Blair are among the 10 guards charged, and are the only two facing second-degree murder charges, per the AP. The New York State Department of Corrections and Community Supervision previously told ABC News there were 15 persons of interest tied to Nantwi’s killing. Levi and Blair, along with three other guards, are also facing first-degree manslaughter charges, per AP.

The charges against the other officers, who have not been named by the outlets, were not immediately clear. The indictment, which was unsealed on Wednesday, April 16, stated Levi and Blair had been summoned to the victim’s room to address an “unknown issue” prior to his killing, the AP reported. The two allegedly began beating the young man, landing “multiple strikes to his body and head with their boots,” per the indictment.

Nantwi, who had his hands raised and displayed no weapons when guards entered the room, protested when he was being handcuffed and restrained. During this time, he grabbed an employee’s vest and was “immediately assaulted by the defendants,” the indictment said. As he protested being handcuffed for no apparent reason, Nantwi bit Blair and another guard, Thomas Eck, on their hands, according to the indictment.

During the alleged assault, Nantwi became unresponsive. As he was being taken to the infirmary, he was allegedly assaulted again, the indictment states. He was then “dumped” in a holding cell and assaulted one more time in what New York Governor Kathy Hochul has deemed a “horrific crime” that is “deeply disturbing” in nature. Per the indictment, the guards did not have a reason to assault Nantwi.

Authorities alleged in the document that the nature of the assault — including the stomping, kicking and leaving him unattended at the infirmary — “demonstrated depraved indifference,” the AP reported. Nantwi was serving a five-year sentence in state prison for second-degree criminal possession of a weapon in connection with a 2021 incident involving gunfire exchange with officers, per the outlet. He was shot several times in that exchange; no officers were injured.

Prior to entering the prison system last May, he had been accused of killing 19-year-old Jaylen Duncan and 36-year-old Brandon Brunson in April 2023. The status of that investigation was not immediately clear. Plea and attorney information for the defendants was not immediately available.

This tragic incident highlights the importance of accountability within the prison system and the need for transparency in investigating such cases. The allegations of abuse and negligence leading to the death of an inmate are deeply concerning and raise questions about the treatment of individuals in custody. It is crucial for justice to be served and for those responsible to be held accountable for their actions.

The devastating consequences of such violence within correctional facilities cannot be ignored, and it is imperative that measures are taken to prevent similar incidents in the future. The victims of such brutality deserve justice, and their rights must be protected to ensure their safety and well-being while in custody.

As this case unfolds, it serves as a sobering reminder of the importance of upholding human rights and ensuring the fair and humane treatment of all individuals, regardless of their circumstances. The public will be closely watching for updates on this tragic case and hoping for a just resolution that brings closure to the loved ones of the victim.