Latest news with #correctionofficers
CNN
31-05-2025
- General
- CNN
Former New York prison guard pleads guilty in connection with inmate's beating death
CrimeFacebookTweetLink Follow A former upstate New York prison guard pleaded guilty Friday for his role in what prosecutors called a coverup of the beating death of inmate by fellow guards. Joshua Bartlett entered guilty pleas to hindering prosecution and falsifying records, both felonies, in connection with the March 1 death of Messiah Nantwi at Mid-State Correctional Facility in Marcy, near Utica. Bartlett appeared for a hearing in Oneida County Court in Utica, where sentencing was set for August 8. Ten correction officers, not including Bartlett, were indicted in connection with the fatal beating. Two of the 10, Jonah Levi and Caleb Blair, are charged with second-degree murder. All 10 have pleaded not guilty. Bartlett is the first guard to plead guilty in connection with the case. Nantwi died from injuries he sustained in a series of beatings by guards that began in his room and continued even when he was lying handcuffed on the floor of the infirmary, the indictment says. Bartlett was accused of helping other guards cover up what happened, including filing a false use-of-force report. Bartlett was beaten after an emergency response team was called to Nantwi's room to help National Guard members who became concerned when he involved himself in another inmate's effort to obtain medication and was resistant during a headcount, according to prosecutors. The National Guard was deployed to Mid-State and other prisons because of an unauthorized, three-week strike by guards who were upset over working conditions. The situation was resolved by the time the response team arrived. Nantwi objected to being handcuffed for no apparent reason and grabbed Bartlett's vest, with several guards immediately raining blows on his head and body using their fists, batons and boots, the indictment said. The attack intensified when Nantwi bit the hands of two guards, prosecutors said. Nantwi became unresponsive and guards transported him toward the infirmary, but he was assaulted a second time in a stairwell, according to prosecutors. Nantwi died several months after Robert Brooks was fatally beaten at the Marcy Correctional Facility near the Mid-State prison. Six guards were charged with second-degree murder in Brooks' December 9 beating. One of those guards pleaded guilty earlier this month to first-degree manslaughter under a plea deal. Another three prison employees were charged with manslaughter in the Brooks case and an another officer pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor charge of attempted tampering with physical evidence. Bartlett was among 18 guards, including the 10 who were indicted, who either resigned or were suspended after Nantwi's death. Prosecutors have said several guards who weren't indicted agreed to cooperate with authorities.
CNN
31-05-2025
- General
- CNN
Former New York prison guard pleads guilty in connection with inmate's beating death
CrimeFacebookTweetLink Follow A former upstate New York prison guard pleaded guilty Friday for his role in what prosecutors called a coverup of the beating death of inmate by fellow guards. Joshua Bartlett entered guilty pleas to hindering prosecution and falsifying records, both felonies, in connection with the March 1 death of Messiah Nantwi at Mid-State Correctional Facility in Marcy, near Utica. Bartlett appeared for a hearing in Oneida County Court in Utica, where sentencing was set for August 8. Ten correction officers, not including Bartlett, were indicted in connection with the fatal beating. Two of the 10, Jonah Levi and Caleb Blair, are charged with second-degree murder. All 10 have pleaded not guilty. Bartlett is the first guard to plead guilty in connection with the case. Nantwi died from injuries he sustained in a series of beatings by guards that began in his room and continued even when he was lying handcuffed on the floor of the infirmary, the indictment says. Bartlett was accused of helping other guards cover up what happened, including filing a false use-of-force report. Bartlett was beaten after an emergency response team was called to Nantwi's room to help National Guard members who became concerned when he involved himself in another inmate's effort to obtain medication and was resistant during a headcount, according to prosecutors. The National Guard was deployed to Mid-State and other prisons because of an unauthorized, three-week strike by guards who were upset over working conditions. The situation was resolved by the time the response team arrived. Nantwi objected to being handcuffed for no apparent reason and grabbed Bartlett's vest, with several guards immediately raining blows on his head and body using their fists, batons and boots, the indictment said. The attack intensified when Nantwi bit the hands of two guards, prosecutors said. Nantwi became unresponsive and guards transported him toward the infirmary, but he was assaulted a second time in a stairwell, according to prosecutors. Nantwi died several months after Robert Brooks was fatally beaten at the Marcy Correctional Facility near the Mid-State prison. Six guards were charged with second-degree murder in Brooks' December 9 beating. One of those guards pleaded guilty earlier this month to first-degree manslaughter under a plea deal. Another three prison employees were charged with manslaughter in the Brooks case and an another officer pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor charge of attempted tampering with physical evidence. Bartlett was among 18 guards, including the 10 who were indicted, who either resigned or were suspended after Nantwi's death. Prosecutors have said several guards who weren't indicted agreed to cooperate with authorities.
The Independent
30-05-2025
- General
- The Independent
Former New York prison guard pleads guilty in connection with inmate's beating death
A former upstate New York prison guard pleaded guilty Friday for his role in what prosecutors called a coverup of the beating death of inmate by fellow guards. Joshua Bartlett entered guilty pleas to hindering prosecution and falsifying records, both felonies, in connection with the March 1 death of Messiah Nantwi at Mid-State Correctional Facility in Marcy, near Utica. Bartlett appeared for a hearing in Oneida County Court in Utica, where sentencing was set for Aug. 8. Ten correction officers, not including Bartlett, were indicted in connection with the fatal beating. Two of the 10, Jonah Levi and Caleb Blair, are charged with second-degree murder. All 10 have pleaded not guilty. Bartlett is the first guard to plead guilty in connection with the case. Nantwi died from injuries he sustained in a series of beatings by guards that began in his room and continued even when he was lying handcuffed on the floor of the infirmary, the indictment says. Bartlett was accused of helping other guards cover up what happened, including filing a false use-of-force report. Bartlett was beaten after an emergency response team was called to Nantwi's room to help National Guard members who became concerned when he involved himself in another inmate's effort to obtain medication and was resistant during a headcount, according to prosecutors. The National Guard was deployed to Mid-State and other prisons because of an unauthorized, three-week strike by guards who were upset over working conditions. The situation was resolved by the time the response team arrived. Nantwi objected to being handcuffed for no apparent reason and grabbed Bartlett's vest, with several guards immediately raining blows on his head and body using their fists, batons and boots, the indictment said. The attack intensified when Nantwi bit the hands of two guards, prosecutors said. Nantwi became unresponsive and guards transported him toward the infirmary, but he was assaulted a second time in a stairwell, according to prosecutors. Nantwi died several months after Robert Brooks was fatally beaten at the Marcy Correctional Facility near the Mid-State prison. Six guards were charged with second-degree murder in Brooks' Dec. 9 beating. One of those guards pleaded guilty earlier this month to first-degree manslaughter under a plea deal. Another three prison employees were charged with manslaughter in the Brooks case and an another officer pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor charge of attempted tampering with physical evidence. Bartlett was among 18 guards, including the 10 who were indicted, who either resigned or were suspended after Nantwi's death. Prosecutors have said several guards who weren't indicted agreed to cooperate with authorities.
Yahoo
18-05-2025
- Yahoo
Downtown Elmira community rally honors correction officers in New York and Pennsylvania
ELMIRA, N.Y. (WETM) — A Unity in the Community rally was held at the Empire Sports Complex in downtown Elmira, to honor correction officers in New York and Pennsylvania on Saturday, May 17. This marked the seventh Unity in Community event, and it was the first to focus specifically on correction officers, according to organizer Dr. Stephen Coleman. Several speakers included local, county, and state officials, along with members of law enforcement from the Chemung and Steuben County Sheriff's Office. Those in attendance also included retired correction officers, some of whom spent more than 20 years working at the Elmira Correctional Facility. Dr. Coleman emphasized the gathering to be a way to recognize, give acknowledgment and express thanks to those who work in correctional facilities. 'I think people that went to this thing today and also people watching, I think they can say a prayer for corrections officers, and if they see a corrections officer, say 'Thanks,' same with the police, same for someone wearing the uniform,' Coelman said. 'The greatest majority of those men and women go in there, and they're professionals. They do what they have to, and they walk away hoping that they can get out,' said retired correction officer Francis Whitford. 'I just hope that it will come to an understanding that it's a necessary job and respect the people who do it.' Unity in Community to honor correction officers During his speech, Elmira Mayor Dan Mandell, stated that he proclaimed the day May 17 as Correction Officers Appreciation Day in the city of Elmira, to show appreciation for correction officers. 'We just wanted to make this their day, to let the community know that the city of Elmira does support correction officers and supports the job that they do,' Mandell said. 'People should know that the job of a correction officer is very difficult. It's very challenging, not only physically, but mentally. They need to know that they protect us. They keep the people that can't survive in society, because they break society's laws. They keep them behind bars. The correction officers are to maintain their safety while behind bars as long as the safety of civilian staff and the safety of themselves. So, that's the message I think that people really need to know.' Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
