3 NJ corrections officers went to trial after presenting that the beating of prisoners

Three New Jersey Correctional Police officers are scheduled to be tried this week for charges related to an alleged assault on an imprisoned man in the north prison of the State.

A grand jury in September 2023 accused Orlando Mercado, Steven Roberts Jr. and Maton Wilkins, all employed by the New Jersey Corrections Department, for charges related to the alleged assault in Newark prison.

Prosecutors claim that on March 17, 2020, Mercado and Roberts used an illegal and excessive force against an inmate, mentioned in judicial documents as a victim #1. Wilkins is accused of helping to cover the incident.