New York correction officers face murder charges and attempted coverup in the beating death of Messiah Nantwi.

Two correction officers in New York have been indicted for the murder of 22-year-old Messiah Nantwi at the Mid-State Correctional Facility in Marcy, New York. The officers, Jonah Levi and Caleb Blair, are accused of violently assaulting Nantwi over an extended period within the prison. This incident occurred during a wildcat strike by correctional staff on March 1, 2025, which has since raised significant concerns about the conditions and safety protocols within correctional facilities in the state.

The charges brought against Levi and Blair include murder, stemming from allegations that they beat and stomped on Nantwi’s head for several minutes while he was restrained. The indictment also claims that Blair assaulted Nantwi in a holding cell after the initial beating. Following Nantwi’s tragic death, Levi and Sergeant Francis Chandler reportedly attempted to manipulate the official report to deceive investigators. Prosecutors suggest that the pair requested their colleagues to omit their names from reports related to the incident.

Additional charges have also been filed against eight other correction officers for various offenses tied to the case. Chandler allegedly directed another officer to retrieve a makeshift weapon from a previous assault and instigated a cover-up narrative among the staff. Prosecutors have characterized the efforts to conceal the events of that night as incompetent and ineffective.

Nantwi was previously incarcerated for a gun possession charge following a police shooting incident in which he was alleged to have fired at law enforcement. He was also awaiting trial on charges related to two murders that occurred in Harlem in 2023. On the day of his death, correctional officers responded to a call regarding Nantwi’s cell and, reportedly, initiated the abusive behavior despite Nantwi’s clear indication of non-violence.

After the assault, Nantwi was left unattended in a holding cell, resulting in severe head trauma that led to his death. In the immediate aftermath, there were attempts to fabricate evidence supporting the use of force by the officers involved. Multiple officers have been implicated in this cover-up.

The ramifications of this case have stirred significant public outrage, particularly among the family of Nantwi, who have called for accountability and comprehensive reforms within the Department of Corrections and Community Supervision. The New York State Department of Corrections has pledged to improve training for its correctional staff and enhance monitoring systems to prevent such incidents in the future.

As this situation continues to unfold in the judicial system, the tragic death of Messiah Nantwi highlights critical questions surrounding the treatment of inmates and the need for systemic reform in correctional facilities throughout New York. The community is closely monitoring the developments, advocating for justice not only for Nantwi but for improved conditions within the penal system that safeguard the rights and dignity of all individuals in custody.