WORCESTER, Mass. — Three Massachusetts State Police officers entered not guilty pleas Thursday on charges stemming from the death of a police recruit who sustained fatal brain injuries during training boxing exercises last September.
The officers face charges in connection with the death of 25-year-old Enrique Delgado-Garcia, who passed away at a hospital on September 13, 2024. Delgado-Garcia had lost consciousness during what investigators described as dangerous and unauthorized boxing training the previous day.
Special prosecutor David Meier, assigned by the state’s attorney general to handle the investigation, announced in February that the three training staff members face charges of involuntary manslaughter and causing serious bodily injury during a training program. The unit supervisor also faces perjury charges related to grand jury testimony.
Lieutenant Jennifer Penton, who held the rank of sergeant when initially charged, appeared in Worcester Superior Court alongside Troopers Edwin Rodriguez and David Montanez before Judge J. Gavin Reardon Jr. Each defendant repeatedly stated “not guilty” as the charges were announced. A fourth officer, Casey LaMonte, has an arraignment scheduled for April 14.
The courtroom was filled with observers, while family members of Delgado-Garcia watched silently from one side. Outside the courthouse, several people displayed signs showing support for the deceased recruit.
All three defendants were released without bail but must follow specific conditions, including avoiding contact with potential case witnesses. The judge set June 16 for a pretrial conference with defense lawyers.
According to Meier’s investigation, dangerous sparring exercises caused Delgado-Garcia’s initial head injury. The following day, training staff allegedly allowed a boxing match to continue despite safety concerns, resulting in “multiple blunt force injuries to the head and massive brain bleeding” for the recruit.
Brian Williams, president of the State Police Association of Massachusetts, defended the charged officers when the indictments were announced in February, stating “the veteran training staff indicted today are entitled to the same presumption of innocence and due process guaranteed to every citizen.”
Williams added that the association supports its members and will mount a strong defense while collaborating with the department on training improvements.
Massachusetts Attorney General Andrea Campbell emphasized in February the importance of conducting an independent and unbiased investigation. The case followed demands from advocacy organizations and Delgado-Garcia’s loved ones for accountability in his death.
“The family is relieved there has been progress in the case from the beginning,” said their lawyer, Mike Wilcox, at the time, noting there was “light at the end of the tunnel in terms of accountability.”
Recent tragedies nationwide have increased scrutiny of police academy training methods and curriculum content.
An Associated Press investigation titled “Dying to Serve” revealed that over 30 recruits have died during law enforcement training since 2015, with deaths caused by intense or violent exercises, heat exposure, physical strain, and various medical emergencies.
Recruit deaths have increased as departments recruit non-traditional candidates while maintaining established academy practices. Investigators typically classify these deaths as tragic but unavoidable medical events, with criminal charges rarely considered.
The Massachusetts charges are believed to mark the first criminal case related to a police academy recruit’s death in recent years. In reviewing 37 recruit deaths since 2005, the AP found no other instances resulting in criminal charges.
Alternative forms of accountability, including civil litigation and workplace safety investigations, have also been uncommon. Families often face difficulties obtaining federal death benefits, despite congressional legislation clarifying recruit eligibility.
Recently, the family of San Francisco police recruit Jon-Marques Psalms, who died after collapsing during combat training in August 2025, filed a wrongful death lawsuit against the department alleging negligence. The city attorney’s office responded that its “thoughts and prayers” were with the family following Psalms’ “tragic” death and that it was reviewing the complaint for a court response.
