Indictments Unveiled Following Fatal Beating Incident
Ten correction officers from Mid-State Correctional Facility in New York have been indicted in connection with the fatal beating of 22-year-old inmate Messiah Nantwi. The charges, handed down by an Oneida County grand jury on April 15, 2025, include second-degree murder, manslaughter, gang assault, conspiracy, evidence tampering, and falsification of official records. Two officers, Jonah Levi and Caleb Blair, face second-degree murder charges, the most severe among the list. Prosecutors stated Nantwi, who was unarmed with his hands raised, was beaten extensively using fists, batons, and boots by officers after he objected to being handcuffed.
The fatal incident occurred on March 1, amid a strike disrupting operations at over 30 New York prisons. Following the event, fifteen officers were placed on administrative leave, while seven have since resigned. Authorities have accused some officers of not only engaging in excessive force but also conspiring to create a false narrative and conceal evidence related to the attack.
One notable aspect of the indictment alleges that correction officer Thomas Eck falsely claimed to have discovered a makeshift weapon on Nantwi, attempting to frame him as armed. Another concerning revelation was that many of the indicted officers either failed to activate their body cameras during the encounter, or were not wearing them as required.
After the incident, Levi and another officer, Francis Chandler, reportedly urged colleagues to omit their names from official reports and coordinated a false account during a meeting at a diner named ‘Raspberries.’
“These allegations of coordinated deception and unjustifiable violence are deeply troubling and undermine public trust,” said Special Prosecutor William Fitzpatrick, who was appointed after the State Attorney General’s Office recused itself from the case.
Pattern of Abuse Allegations and Systematic Issues
This indictment marks the second time in just four months that New York correction officers have faced murder charges related to inmate deaths. A comparable case involving correction officers at Marcy Correctional Facility in nearby Oneida County is currently ongoing. In that incident, inmate Robert L. Brooks died following another brutal altercation with guards in December, prompting widespread scrutiny over correctional practices in the state.
One of the accused in the current indictment, Joshua Bartlett, previously faced allegations of misconduct. Court records reveal Bartlett was among several officers accused in an April 2018 incident involving the beating of another inmate, suggesting troubling repeat behavior patterns within the correctional system.
Governor Kathy Hochul has publicly condemned the incident involving Nantwi, describing it as “deeply disturbing” and promising justice for his family. The governor’s office has led swift administrative actions, including terminating or suspending involved personnel without pay pending further investigation.
This case also underscores concerns regarding transparency and accountability in correctional facilities, particularly related to the use of mandatory body cameras, systemic oversight, and reporting mechanisms. Critics have called for stricter enforcement of existing policies, improved training, and more effective disciplinary processes to prevent recurrence.
“It is imperative we ensure rigorous oversight and accountability in our correctional institutions,” remarked correctional reform advocate Maria Guzman, emphasizing the need for comprehensive systemic reforms.
Broader Implications and Calls for Reform
Messiah Nantwi’s tragic death has become a pivotal moment in amplifying calls for criminal justice reform and prison oversight across New York State. Nantwi, originally from Harlem, was serving a sentence related to a 2021 gun possession incident in which NYPD officers shot him multiple times. At the time of his death, he was also awaiting trial on separate murder charges tied to two incidents that occurred in Harlem in early 2023.
The use of excessive force within correctional institutions has long been a point of contention and a catalyst for reform debates nationwide. New York correctional facilities have drawn repeated scrutiny over conditions and the treatment of inmates, leading to advocates demanding transformative changes in policies regarding confinement practices, the management of correctional facilities, and oversight procedures by external monitoring bodies.
Since the indictments, the correction officers have all pleaded not guilty and are scheduled to return to court later this spring for further proceedings. The outcome of this trial could influence ongoing discussions about prison conditions and reform measures in New York, particularly regarding violence prevention, staff accountability, and the humane treatment of inmates.
The indictments fuel momentum for broader legislative and policy discussions about significant reform within New York’s correctional system, emphasizing accountability, transparency, and better training for correctional staff.
With two high-profile cases currently underway, the pressure mounts on state officials to actively address systemic issues and ensure such tragedies are prevented in the future.
“We cannot let these incidents become routine. Each one illustrates a failure in our system that must be urgently addressed,” stated New York Assemblyman Robert Cruz, an advocate for criminal justice reform.