Guards at Marcy Correctional Facility viciously beat Robert Brooks, a prisoner, causing his death. New York's Attorney General Letitia James released footage of the incident, sparking outrage and prompting an official inquiry.
The video release led officials to denounce the brutality and commit to swift accountability measures, according to the New York Post.
On December 9, body camera footage showed several prison guards assaulting handcuffed inmate Robert Brooks. They attacked him in an examination room at Marcy Correctional Facility and escalated the violence until Brooks lost consciousness. Medical personnel rushed him to Wynn Hospital in Utica, but he died the next day from "asphyxia due to compression of the neck."
Attorney General Letitia James released the body camera footage to the public, bolstering transparency efforts amid the ongoing investigation. Although the footage is without audio due to standby mode on the cameras, its visual evidence has been enough to elicit strong reactions. James expressed her condolences to Brooks’ family and underscored her "duty and responsibility" to share the recording with the community despite the current holiday season.
The incident has led to severe administrative actions initiated by Corrections Commissioner Daniel Martuscello III, who described the incident as "vulgar, inhumane," and beyond rationality. Martuscello’s despair over the events was palpable, leading to the suspension of 13 employees without pay upon direction from Governor Kathy Hochul, alongside the resignation of one staff member.
Further internal probes by the Department of Corrections and Community Supervision are ongoing. Commissioner Martuscello has vowed accountability, asserting that those responsible do not mirror the values or mission of the department. "This was a killing," stated Martuscello emphatically, pledging justice for Brooks.
Civil rights advocate Rev. Al Sharpton highlighted the egregiousness of the guards’ actions, urging for the guard's termination and legal charges. "Their actions in this tape not only justify their firing but should merit appropriate criminal charges," Sharpton noted.
These officers clearly thought they were within their right to hit Brooks in the stomach with the heel of a boot, level punches at his face or torso, and throw him around like a ragdoll — all with his hands behind his back.
Elizabeth Mazur, who has been actively involved in advocating for inmate rights, lamented the brutal assault on Brooks. She emphasized the necessity for detainees to feel secure from such violence at the hands of personnel meant to safeguard them. Benny Boscio of the Correction Officers’ union reflected on the disgrace this incident brought to their profession, stressing compassion for the grieving Brooks family.
The case has gained attention beyond the jail's bars, with the Gorilla Stone Bloods gang expressing support for Brooks via social media, although he held no gang affiliations. In response, authorities have bolstered security at Rikers Island as a precaution against potential turmoil.
The New York prison system now faces scrutiny at multiple levels as community and state representatives call for justice. The continuation of the investigation aims to deliver accountability to Brooks' family and prevent future incidents in correctional facilities.
Robert Brooks, convicted of first-degree assault in 2017, was serving a 12-year sentence before his untimely death. The tragic event has spotlighted systemic issues within the prison system, urging reform and responsibility from those in charge.
As officials move forward with their inquiries, both the community and Brooks' family await the outcomes that will decide the next chapter of this harrowing case.
