Massachusetts State Police Officers Plead Not Guilty in Recruit’s Boxing Death

In a legal case that investigators describe as exceedingly rare, three members of the Massachusetts State Police have pleaded not guilty to charges stemming from the 2024 death of a recruit. The charges follow an independent investigation into “unapproved and unsafe” boxing matches conducted during defensive tactics training at the State Police Academy.

The Court Proceedings: Not Guilty Pleas

On Thursday, April 2, 2026, Lt. Jennifer Penton, along with troopers David Montanez and Edwin Rodriguez, appeared in Worcester Superior Court. All three entered not guilty pleas to charges of involuntary manslaughter and causing serious injury to a person participating in a physical training exercise.

Lt. Penton, who served as the head of the academy’s defensive tactics unit at the time, faces an additional charge of perjury. This charge relates to allegations that she provided false testimony to a special statewide grand jury during the investigation.

A fourth trooper, Casey LaMonte, who was similarly indicted on charges of involuntary manslaughter and causing serious injury, is scheduled for arraignment on April 14.

Timeline of the Incident

The case centers on the death of 25-year-old recruit Enrique Delgado-Garcia. According to court documents and investigative reports, the tragedy unfolded over two days in September 2024:

• The Initial Incident: During a defensive tactics exercise in a boxing ring at the State Police Academy in New Braintree, Delgado-Garcia suffered a concussion and became unresponsive.
• The Fatal Escalation: Investigators allege that academy staff failed to stop a subsequent training boxing match a day later. This led to Delgado-Garcia sustaining “multiple blunt force injuries to the head and massive brain bleeding.”
• The Outcome: Enrique Delgado-Garcia died at a hospital on September 13, 2024.

Investigation and Findings

Massachusetts Attorney General Andrea Campbell appointed attorney David Meier to lead an independent investigation into the incident. Following a nine-month grand jury investigation, Meier concluded that members of the State Police Academy committed a “series of wanton and reckless acts” during physical confrontation training exercises.

The investigation revealed that the boxing program had previously been halted due to injury concerns, making the “unapproved” sessions particularly egregious. Meier emphasized that the defendants owed a direct duty of care to Delgado-Garcia and his fellow trainees, a duty that was breached through these reckless actions.

Academy Reforms and Impact

In the wake of Delgado-Garcia’s death, the Massachusetts State Police took immediate action to prevent further injuries by suspending all full-contact boxing training activities for recruits. The case has sparked significant public outcry, with protests held outside the State Police Academy graduation ceremony in October 2024, as family and supporters continue to demand justice for the fallen recruit.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why are these charges considered rare?

It is uncommon for police instructors or supervisors to face criminal charges, such as involuntary manslaughter, for injuries or deaths that occur during official academy training exercises.

What is the current status of the defendants?

Lt. Jennifer Penton, David Montanez, and Edwin Rodriguez have pleaded not guilty. Casey LaMonte is awaiting arraignment on April 14, 2026.

What happened to the boxing program at the academy?

Following the death of Enrique Delgado-Garcia, the state police suspended all full-contact boxing training for recruits.