UTICA, NY (WUTR/WFXV/WPNY) -- The trial in the beating death of Messiah Nantwi at Mid-State Correctional Facility will have one less defendant going to court, as an officer pled guilty on Thursday.

Francis Chandler pled guilty in Oneida County Court to a charge of second-degree gang assault on Thursday, October 16. A refusal of the plea deal meant he would have faced several other charges, including a top charge of first-degree manslaughter.

Chandler was one of ten officers indicted in the beating death of Messiah Nantwi on March 1 of this year. Several officers have also pled guilty to lesser charges and are awaiting their sentencing. According to Syracuse.com, another six people have agreed to become witnesses for the prosecution.

As part of his plea deal, Chandler will now face a sen

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