Governor Kathy Hochul condemned the incident as a 'horrific crime' and 'deeply disturbing,' reflecting the gravity of the situation.

The wildcat strike by correctional officers, which began on February 17, 2025, exacerbated conditions within the prison system, contributing to the violent incident.

Multiple prison guards in New York have been indicted following the death of inmate Messiah Nantwi, who died on March 1, 2025, after suffering a severe beating during a wildcat strike.

Due to conflicts of interest, the New York Attorney General's office recused itself from the case, leading to the appointment of special prosecutor William Fitzpatrick.

The indictment includes charges against six guards for directly assaulting Nantwi, while four others are accused of attempting to cover up the incident through false reports and evidence tampering.

In the aftermath of the incident, seven officers have resigned and eleven have been suspended without pay as investigations continue.

Compounding the issue, the guards involved were not wearing mandated body cameras during the incident, with some reportedly turning them off.

Allegations suggest that three guards conspired to falsely claim that Nantwi had a makeshift knife in his cell prior to the assault, coordinating their narrative at a local diner.

This case has ignited significant public outcry, raising serious concerns about inmate treatment and accountability within the prison system.

The incident took place at the Mid-State Correctional Facility in Marcy, New York, where guards were responding to an 'unknown issue' in Nantwi's cell.

William Fitzpatrick indicated that a significant development in the case would be presented in court on April 16, 2025, hinting at imminent criminal charges.

Nantwi had been incarcerated since May 2022 for a prior conviction related to a shootout with police and was also accused of two murders in April 2023.