Defense witness added late to trial of ex-Mid-State prison officer for beating death of inmate Messiah Nantwi

Defense witness added late to trial of ex-Mid-State prison officer for beating death of inmate Messiah Nantwi

UTICA, N.Y (WSYR-TV)-- There was a surprise appearance in Oneida County Court today for the case against former correctional officer Caleb Blair in the beating death of Messiah Nantwi at Mid-State Correctional Facility. One of the defense's witnesses, who is on the witness list for the trial, was added to the list the same day [...]

Mid-State CO reveals new witness ahead of May murder trial

UTICA — A former Mid-State correctional officer set to go to trial early next month in the beating death of inmate Messiah Nantwi made a brief pre-trial appearance in Oneida County Court Thursday morning.

Correction officer found guilty of manslaughter in prison beating death of Messiah Nantwi

An Oneida County jury convicted former correction officer Jonah Levi last week for participating in the deadly beating of Messiah Nantwi, a Harlem man incarcerated at the medium-security Mid-State Correctional Facility. The incident took place in March 2025, when at least 18 prison staff members allegedly punched, hit, and stomped on the 22-year-old or stood by and watched, similarly to the murder of Robert Brooks roughly four months before this…