Multiple officers indicted in death of New York inmate, Hochul says

• Multiple officers have been indicted in New York in connection with the death of an inmate on March 1, Gov. Kathy Hochul said Tuesday. It was later revealed that 10 officers were charged, with two facing murder charges.
• The announcement comes after prison guards allegedly beat Messiah Nantwi, who later died, according to inmates interviewed by The New York Times.
• Nantwi’s death occurred during mass prison strikes across New York, which ended after 22 days.

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New York Gov. Kathy Hochul, D, says multiple prison guards have been indicted in connection with the death of an inmate in March, amid a correctional workers’ strike impacting prisons statewide.

Who was the inmate who died?

The inmate, identified as Messiah Nantwi, died after officials say other prisoners witnessed several guards beating him.

The incident unfolded as state prisons were severely impacted by unauthorized strikes involving thousands of prison workers over the span of nearly a month. During that time, Hochul called in the U.S. National Guard to staff facilities.

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How is Hochul responding?

Hochul addressed the indictments in a short video on Tuesday, April 15, and called the incident “deeply disturbing.”

“The tragic death of Mr. Nantwi at the hands of correction officers who are responsible for protecting the incarcerated population is deeply, deeply disturbing,” said Hochul. “The loss of any life in our correctional facilities is one too many. That does not reflect our values as New Yorkers, and his family deserves justice. That’s why I’ve directed my administration to take swift action.”

Later it was revealed in an unsealed indictment, that 10 officers were charged in the beating, with two facing murder charges.

Inmates’ account echoes AG office’s findings

Multiple inmates told The New York Times that Nantwi was attacked by prison guards prior to his death.

It’s a claim echoed by New York Attorney General Letitia James, who revealed in a court filing in March that her office has “probable cause to believe” up to nine guards either caused or were involved in Nantwi’s death.

Officials said Tuesday that seven officers resigned following Nantwi’s death, and nearly a dozen were placed on leave without pay.

What was Nantwi serving time for?

Nantwi was serving a five-year sentence for second-degree criminal possession of a weapon in connection with a police shootout in 2021. He entered the prison system in May 2024.

New York prosecutors also accuse Nantwi of fatally shooting a 19-year-old in April 2023, as well as a 36-year-old man a day later, following an argument outside of a smoke shop. Both incidents occurred in Harlem.

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How does it fit into the bigger picture?

As Straight Arrow News previously reported, Nantwi’s death comes months after authorities say prisoner Robert Brookes was beaten to death by guards at another New York state prison.

The 10 guards implicated in Brookes’ death face charges ranging from murder to manslaughter and tampering with evidence. They have all entered pleas of not guilty.

Prison workers, citing poor working conditions, began protesting by walking off the job in mid-February at many state prisons.

As strikes linger, inmates and prisoner rights advocates warned of deteriorating conditions within the facilities, including a lack of food and medical care.