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Investigation Launched After Inmate’s Death Following Alleged Beating by Correctional Officers
Disturbing new footage has emerged showing correctional officers at a New York prison violently assaulting a handcuffed inmate, leading to his untimely death. Attorney General Letitia James made the footage public on Friday, revealing the brutal actions taken against Robert Brooks, 43, on December 9. Brooks passed away the following morning in a hospital.
The Attorney General’s office is currently investigating the circumstances surrounding the use of force that resulted in Brooks’ death. Reports indicate that he was pronounced dead shortly after being transferred to the Marcy Correctional Facility in Oneida County, where he was serving a 12-year sentence for first-degree assault.
Government Response to the Incident
New York Governor Kathy Hochul has expressed her outrage over the violence depicted in the footage and has ordered the dismissal of over a dozen staff members from the state’s Department of Corrections and Community Supervision. This includes several correctional officers and a nurse involved in the incident. Hochul described the event as a “senseless killing” that warranted immediate action.
The body camera footage shows correctional officers physically assaulting Brooks—striking him repeatedly in the face and groin while he was restrained on a medical examination table. One officer can be seen using a shoe to hit Brooks in the abdomen, while another lifted him by the neck, subsequently dropping him back onto the table. As the assault continued, the officers removed Brooks’ clothing, leaving him dormant and covered in blood.
“These videos are shocking and disturbing, and I advise all to take appropriate care before choosing to watch them,” Attorney General James stated.
Autopsy Findings and Additional Information
The results of Brooks’ autopsy have yet to be finalized; however, preliminary findings indicate a potential connection to asphyxia due to neck compression as a contributing cause of death, suggesting involvement from another party. Notably, the body camera footage lacked audio, as the officers did not activate their recording devices during the incident. Following the event, the Corrections Department mandated that all staff must use body cameras during interactions with inmates.
Elizabeth Mazur, an attorney representing Brooks’ family, remarked that the release of the footage allows the public to witness the grave nature of the attack. “He deserved to live, and everyone else living in Marcy Correctional Facility deserves to know they do not have to live in fear of violence at the hands of prison staff,” Mazur emphasized.
Union and Advocacy Group Reactions
The New York State Correctional Officers and Police Benevolent Association, representing state correctional officers, condemned the actions depicted in the footage. They noted that the behavior seen is “incomprehensible” and not indicative of the majority of officers who uphold their duties daily. The union warned that such actions threaten the safety of its members and compromise the integrity of the profession.
In light of this incident, the Correctional Association of New York, a prison oversight organization, pointed out that past monitoring visits to the Marcy Correctional Facility have revealed reports of brutality and discrimination. Executive Director Jennifer Scaife remarked that the video of the attack was both “sickening and appalling” yet not surprising, calling for systemic changes to help prevent future occurrences of violence.
The investigation into Robert Brooks’ death continues as authorities work to uncover the full extent of the circumstances surrounding this tragic event.
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