New York State Senator Julia Salazar, Chair of the Committee on Crime Victims, Crime and Correction, released the following statement in response to the news that ten State correction officers involved in the murder of 22-year-old Messiah Nantwi at Mid-State Correctional Facility have been charged for the crime. 

 

“The death of Messiah Nantwi at the hands of correction officers was sadly not unprecedented. There is a clear pattern of DOCCS officers engaging in unjustified and excessive uses of force against people who are incarcerated, and accepting this conduct as though it is normal. This systemic lack of accountability has led to the violent murders of Mr. Nantwi, Mr. Brooks, and numerous other New Yorkers. The accounts we have heard indicate that even prior to his death, Mr. Nantwi was subjected to relentless torture by a group of correction officers. The announcement of serious charges against these officers today – including charges of murder, manslaughter, gang assault, and cover-up attempts – is a critical step toward accountability and justice.”