UTICA, N.Y. (AP) 鈥� A former corrections officer was found guilty of manslaughter Wednesday in the fatal beating of an inmate at Mid-State Correctional Facility in upstate New York.
The jury in Utica, New York, also found Jonah Levi guilty of gang assault and conspiracy in the death on March 1, 2025, and the subsequent coverup. The jurors acquitted him of second-degree murder.
鈥淭his verdict sets an important precedent 鈥� not just for Messiah, but for everyone who is incarcerated,” Patterson Nantwi, Messiah Nantwi’s father, said in a written statement. “No one should have to fear losing their life at the hands of those who are supposed to care for them.鈥�
Levi was the first guard to go on trial in Nantwi’s death.
鈥淭he first step in justice for Messiah is complete with some work to go,鈥� Onondaga County District Attorney William J. Fitzpatrick said in an email. 鈥淚 thank the hard working jurors for their diligence and am very pleased with the verdict.鈥�
A message was left seeking comment from Levi’s attorney.
Nantwi, 22, was struck dozens of times by guards who used their fists, boots and batons. He died due to massive head trauma and other injuries to his body from the beatings, according to prosecutors.
The beating occurred during a wildcat strike by many officers that forced the governor to send in National Guard members to help keep order. Nantwi鈥檚 death also came several months after at a separate prison just across the road from Mid-State.
Levi was part of an emergency response team called to Nantwi鈥檚 housing unit to help National Guard members who sought backup after Nantwi was uncooperative during a prisoner headcount. A witness testified that Nantwi calmed down once backup was called.
Corrections officers who responded to the call began beating Nantwi in his room after he refused to be handcuffed and grabbed a guard鈥檚 vest. Prosecutors said the beatings intensified after Nantwi bit a guard鈥檚 hand.
Fitzpatrick told jurors that Levi stomped on Nantwi鈥檚 head multiple times and participated in a cover-up by guards.
鈥淭he evidence of guilt here, ladies and gentlemen, is simple and it鈥檚 overwhelming. Stomp on someone鈥檚 head, you鈥檙e not trying to get their attention,鈥� Fitzpatrick told jurors during closing arguments Monday. 鈥淵ou鈥檝e divorced yourself from the human race.鈥�
Levi鈥檚 attorney, Lewis G. Spicer, told jurors that his client did not use any force that resulted in Nantwi鈥檚 death.
鈥淛onah Levi did not kick Messiah Nantwi in the head,鈥� Spicer said in his closing statement.
More than half a dozen others have pleaded guilty to lesser charges related to the beating and alleged cover-up.
Another former guard charged with murder, Caleb Blair, is scheduled to go on trial May 4, along with a fellow defendant will stand trial for first-degree manslaughter. Another guard charged with manslaughter is scheduled for trial June 1.
Nantwi entered the state prison system in May 2024 and had been serving a five-year sentence for second-degree criminal possession of a weapon related to an exchange of in 2021. He was shot multiple times, while the officers were uninjured.
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