A plea deal was reached for an attack at the Northwest Correctional Facility that led to the death of an inmate

In a case that prosecutors said involved “a strong component” of mental illness, Mbyayenge Mafuta pleaded guilty Thursday morning to charges of involuntary manslaughter and aggravated assault in the death of his cellmate at the Northwest State Correctional Facility nearly two years ago.

During a brief hearing in Franklin County Criminal Court, State’s Attorney Bram Kranichfeld told Judge Alison Arms that the family of the victim, Jeffery Hall, was “fully supportive” of the plea deal reached. The agreement will see Mafuta, 23, serve a prison sentence of 15 to 30 years on the two charges, with all but eight suspended. With credit for time served, Mafuta will spend another six years in prison, and will be on probation for 25 years once he completes his prison sentence.

“We recognize the fact that Mr. Mafuta has taken responsibility for his actions,” Kranichfeld told the judge. “Our hope is that Mr. Mafuta will continue his treatment” after probation, the prosecutor added, citing a “strong component in this case of mental health and mental illness.”

Sitting in court between two of his lawyers, Mafuta said little during the 15-minute hearing other than answering “yes” by entering the two guilty pleas and acknowledging that he understood the terms of the agreement.

Hall’s family chose not to attend the hearing, Kranichfeld said, although they did request to be present for the portion of the criminal case, which is expected once a sentencing investigation is completed within 45 days.

On December 22, 2022, Mafuta attacked Hall and repeatedly kicked him in the head in the cell the two men shared, investigators said. Mafuta believed Hall had stolen items from other incarcerated individuals, court records show.

The attack happened just three days after Mafuta was returned to the prison’s general population after being placed in solitary confinement when he told guards he “heard voices and they wouldn’t stop,” according to a police statement issued was filed in the case.

At the time, a behavioral health coordinator from VitalCore Health Strategies, then the prison’s private medical contractor, reported that a mental health professional “was able to check in with Mr. Mafuta and we feel it is appropriate for him to take full precautions and camera status.”

The dispatcher said it was established that Mafuta had “no current thoughts” of harming himself or others, according to a police statement.

Hall died in March 2023 from injuries sustained in the attack, and the medical examiner later ruled his death a homicide, leading to murder charges in the case.

In August, Hall’s estate filed a wrongful death lawsuit against VitalCore, as first reported in Seven Days. That lawsuit cites Mafuta’s reported diagnoses of mental illness.

Mafuta was held at the Northwest facility after being accused of destroying 33 homes in Burlington in August 2022. He was returned to the same facility after Thursday’s court appearance.

Alan Keays contributed to this report.