Jury Deliberates Fate of NY Prison Guard Charged in Inmate's Death

Correction officer accused of kicking incarcerated man in the head and lying about the incident.

Mar. 30, 2026 at 8:37pm

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An extreme close-up photograph of a prison-issued pencil against a pitch-black background, lit by a harsh, direct camera flash, conceptually representing the disputed details of a violent prison incident.A prison pencil, the alleged 'weapon' that contributed to the violent confrontation between guards and inmate Messiah Nantwi, now at the center of a high-profile manslaughter trial.NYC Today

An upstate New York jury is deliberating the fate of a prison guard facing criminal charges in the beating death of an incarcerated man during an unauthorized prison strike last year. Correction officer Jonah Levi is accused of kicking Messiah Nantwi in the head, contributing to the injuries that caused his death, and then lying about the incident in official reports.

Why it matters

The trial offers a rare inside look at the chaotic conditions and alleged abuses that can occur during prison strikes, which are illegal in New York but have become more common as guards protest dangerous working conditions. The case also highlights ongoing concerns about excessive force and cover-ups by correction officers.

The details

Prosecutors said Levi and other officers hit and kicked Nantwi 69 times, at least 15 of them to the head, leading to his death from massive head trauma. Levi's defense attorney argued the force was justified because Nantwi was acting violently, holding a pencil like a knife, and the prison was under 'heightened tension' due to the strike. The defense denied any cover-up and said Levi was a 'voice of reason' during the incident.

  • The incident occurred on March 1, 2025.
  • The trial in Utica, New York began last week and closing arguments were delivered on Monday.

The players

Jonah Levi

A New York correction officer facing charges of murder, manslaughter, gang assault and falsifying an official document in the death of Messiah Nantwi.

Messiah Nantwi

A 22-year-old incarcerated man from Harlem who died from massive head trauma and other injuries after an altercation with correction officers.

William Fitzpatrick

The special prosecutor who accused Levi of using excessive force and then trying to cover it up.

Graeme Spicer

The defense attorney for Jonah Levi, who argued the force used was justified and denied any cover-up.

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What they’re saying

“'You abandoned your oath. You went in that room and you stomped that man to death.'”

— William Fitzpatrick, Special Prosecutor

“'This is a tragic situation. Nobody disputes that. But, ladies and gentlemen, we do not double down on tragedy in courts of law. We do not double down and convict somebody of these allegations, convict somebody of these crimes without any evidence.'”

— Graeme Spicer, Defense Attorney

What’s next

The jury in Utica, New York will continue deliberating Jonah Levi's fate in the coming days.

The takeaway

This case highlights the ongoing tensions and alleged abuses within the New York prison system, particularly during illegal strikes by correction officers protesting dangerous working conditions. It raises questions about the use of force and accountability for officers accused of covering up inmate deaths.