Two former CO’s accused in fatal beating of Mid-State inmate appear in court

UTICA- Two former prison guards accused in the fatal beating of a Mid-State Correctional Facility inmate last March appeared in Oneida County Court on Monday.

In the latest updates from the Rome Sentinel, Francis Chandler, 36, and David Ferrone, 37, requested more time to consider their plea deals.

Appearing before Judge Michael R. Nolan, their attorneys requested their adjournments until next month. For now, it is reported that both men are due back in court come August 15.

Chandler and Ferrone are among several other former prison guards facing charges correlated to the fatal beating of Messiah Nantwi, which occurred on March 1 at Mid-State Correctional Facility.

The incident occurred during a time where Correctional Officers went on strike at prisons statewide, protesting what they determined were unsafe working conditions.

Generic gavel image.