Worcester, Mass. (AP) – A supervisor and two trainers with the Massachusetts State Police Tactical Unit pleaded not guilty Thursday in connection with the death of a recruit who suffered injuries a day after a sparring session and strong-arms in what investigators called an “unsanctioned and unsafe match.”
Enrique Delgado-Garcia, 25, died at the hospital on Sept. 13, 2024, a day after suffering a “medical crisis” and becoming unresponsive during a defensive tactics exercise in the boxing ring, officials said at the time. Charges in these types of cases are extremely rare.
David Meyer, an investigator appointed by Massachusetts Attorney General, announced in February that supervisors and instructors in the police academy’s defensive tactics unit were charged with involuntary manslaughter and causing serious bodily injury to a trainee. The supervisor was also charged with perjury in connection with his grand jury testimony.
After academy staff failed to stop a training boxing match, the mayor said unsafe sparring sessions had left the trainee injured, adding that there had been “multiple blunt force injuries to the head and massive bleeding on the brain”.
Lt. Jennifer Penton, a supervisor and a sergeant when she was charged, along with Troopers Edwin Rodriguez and David Montanez, before Worcester Superior Court Judge J. Gavin Reardon Jr. entered a plea of not guilty to all charges. A fourth soldier, Casey LaMonte, faces April 4.
All plead not guilty
In a packed courtroom, Penton, Rodriguez and Montanez stood together and responded “not guilty” as the charges were read. Across the courtroom, Delgado-Garcia’s relatives watched silently. Outside the courthouse, a handful of people help make signs showing the trainee’s face and the words “Justice for Enrique.”
The three defendants were released on personal recognizance under several conditions, including not contacting potential witnesses in the case.
Outside court, the family’s attorney, Mike Wilcox, said Thursday was a “tough and long day” for Delgado-Garcia’s relatives, with some holding back tears.
“They’ve been patient. They’ve been kind through it all. They’ve shown nothing but class,” Wilcox said.
“They’re still grieving, you could say, and they’re going to stick with this process for as long as it takes,” he said. “They want justice for Enrique, and they want to make sure that the process is fair and that Enrique has a hearing here.”
The defendants did not speak as they left court, but their lawyers called the deaths a “tragic accident” and said the three men were just doing their jobs and could be found innocent.
“Trooper Delgado’s tragedy is not a crime. The filing of these criminal charges will not bring Trooper Delgado Garcia back,” said Brad Bailey, Penton’s attorney. “The Commonwealth’s attempt to apply . . . complex legal theory to the underlying facts does not change them. Nor will it transform this tragedy into criminal conduct.”
Advocates train and protect troops
Kevin Reddington, representing Montanez, described all three troopers as “good guys” and defended the training needed to prepare the recruits for their crime-fighting duties.
“It’s very easy for people to say oh my goodness that was so bad,” Reddington said. “It’s reckless conduct that they’re alleging, murder that they’re alleging against people who are doing their job, following rules, regulations, and recognized as legitimate training.”
Brian Williams, president of the Massachusetts State Police Association, also defended the troopers.
“These members and our entire defensive tactical staff are among the best in the nation and all established protocols were strictly followed,” he said.
Massachusetts Attorney General Andrea Campbell appointed Meyer in February and said it was important to have an independent, impartial investigation. It follows calls from advocacy groups and Delgado-Garcia’s family and friends to hold those responsible accountable.
More than 30 recruits have died at the academies since 2015
An Associated Press investigation, “Dying to Serve,” found that more than 30 recruits have died at law enforcement academies since 2015, due to a combination of violent or rigorous training exercises, heat, exertion and other medical conditions.
The death toll has risen in recent years as departments hire less-traditional candidates to fill openings but maintain long-standing academy practices. Investigators have generally treated them as unfortunate but unavoidable medical events, and criminal charges have rarely been considered.
The charges in Massachusetts are believed to be the first related to the death of a police academy recruit in years. In examining the deaths of 37 recruits since 2005, the AP found no other cases that led to criminal charges.
Other forms of legal accountability, including civil lawsuits and workplace safety investigations, are also rarely pursued. Families have struggled to collect federal death benefits, even after Congress passed legislation clarifying that recruits are eligible.
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Associated Press writer Ryan J. Foley in Iowa City, Iowa, contributed to this report.
