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10 guards charged over the fatal beating of a New York inmate, including 2 with murder

Apr 16, 2025 | 11:47 AM

UTICA, N.Y. (AP) — Ten New York prison guards were charged Wednesday in connection with the fatal beating of a 22-year-old prison inmate, including two charged with murder. It’s the second time this year a group of correctional officers in the state was indicted for a death behind bars.

Other prisoners say several guards severely beat Messiah Nantwi, a prisoner at the Mid-State Correctional Facility, sending him to a hospital where he died on March 1.

The Utica-area facility was one of many state prisons that was struggling to function during a three-week wildcat strike by guards.

Nantwi’s death came several months after Robert Brooks was fatally beaten at the Marcy Correctional Facility, across the street from the Mid-State prison. Six guards have pleaded not guilty to murder charges in Brooks’ death and other prison employees have also been charged.