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A grand jury is set to hear testimony regarding the death of 22-year-old Messiah Nantwi, an inmate at Mid-State Correctional Facility in Marcy. Nantwi was pronounced dead at Wynn Hospital after being transferred from the prison on March 1. Following his death, 15 staff members were placed on leave, and the New York State Attorney General's Office recused itself from the investigation due to a potential conflict of interest. Onondaga County District Attorney William Fitzpatrick has been appointed as the special prosecutor for the case.
The Attorney General's Office recused itself because four of the correction officers involved in the events leading up to Nantwi's death are defendants in other cases represented by the Office of the Attorney General. Governor Kathy Hochul has instructed the Department of Corrections and Community Supervision to place the 15 staff members on leave.
Anonymous witnesses among the inmates have claimed that Nantwi was beaten, raising concerns about the treatment of inmates at the facility. Fitzpatrick has stated that he will not comment further until the grand jury proceedings are complete. The grand jury is scheduled to convene in April to determine the cause and manner of Nantwi's death.
This case follows a similar incident involving the death of inmate Robert Brooks Sr. at a nearby facility, where several correction officers were charged with murder and manslaughter. As investigations continue, corrections officers across New York are striking, demanding changes to their working conditions and the repeal of the H.A.L.T. Act, which limits the use of solitary confinement.