Inmate Robert Brooks, who passed away in a Utica hospital, was violently beaten, kicked, stripped, and restrained by multiple New York state prison guards, according to body camera footage made public on Friday.
During a press conference, Attorney General Letitia James said her investigation is still underway and revealed part of the Marcy Correctional Facility film.
Four officers, each with a camera that recorded for 30 minutes, were able to capture the footage. James claims that although the police did not turn on their cameras, they did record video in standby mode without sound.
According to troopers’ court filing earlier this week, preliminary autopsy results from the Onondaga County Medical Examiner’s Office raise concerns about hypoxia caused by compression of the neck as the cause of death, in addition to the death being caused by another person’s activities.
Officers can be seen in the video tying Brooks around the neck and pushing a white cloth over his lips. The video shows a police officer grabbing Brooks by the neck with both hands and pulling him away from an examination table.
While their coworkers punch and kick Brooks, other officers and nurses are seen in the hallway smiling, conducting paperwork, and conversing peacefully.
Earlier this week, the Brooks family watched the tape. This Monday, a lawyer for the Brooks family said that Brooks’ last moments were violent and horrifying.
Elizabeth Mazur, the lawyer, said, “Until justice is done in Robert’s memory and the inmates at Marcy Correctional Facility are safe, we will not rest.” In a lawsuit against the city of Rochester for police brutality, she secured $12 million for the family of Daniel Prude.
Court filings filed earlier this week provided some details regarding the incident.
Three of the 13 prison guards under investigation for the assault were the subjects of high risk protection orders that troopers had requested in Oneida County court. When someone is deemed a possible threat to himself or others, law authorities can ask a judge to temporarily seize firearms and other weapons from them.
A judge rejected the suggested orders. He stated that he did not think the three police officers would do anything that would put them or others in risk.
Born in Greece and reared in Monroe County, Brooks received a 12-year jail sentence for first-degree assault in 2017. The Rochester Democrat and Chronicle said that he was arrested after stabbing his fiancée several times.
Records show that Brooks was moved to the Marcy Correctional Facility after being first held at the Mohawk Correctional Facility. State jail officials have refused to provide an explanation for the transfer’s timing or reason.
The state Attorney General’s Office, the State Police, the state Commission of Correction, and the state Department of Corrections and Community Supervision are the four authorities looking into the death.
According to a spokesman, the state Education Department, which grants licenses to nurses and other professions, was aware of the situation.
According to state legislation, the AG’s office is specifically empowered to look into any fatalities brought about by the deeds or inaction of law enforcement personnel, including prison guards. A grand jury, which will then decide whether to issue indictments, may hear evidence from the office.
No charges have been made public by the Attorney General’s Office.
14 state employees who participated in the attack earlier this month were fired by Governor Kathy Hochul; one of them was a nurse, while the others were jail guards. Anthony Farina, one of the correctional authorities, has already resigned.
The group that represents prison guards, the New York State Correctional police and Police Benevolent Association, denounced the assault by the police.
According to the union, this act compromises the credibility of our profession in addition to putting our whole membership at risk. This behavior cannot and will not be tolerated.
About seven miles west of Utica, in Oneida County, sits Marcy Prison, a medium-security facility. As of December 1, 846 inmates were housed at the institution, according to records.
An independent monitoring organization, the Correctional Association of New York, has previously documented issues at the institution.
More than 100 detainees who claimed rampant employee abuse were interrogated by the committee in the fall of 2022. The study concluded that there was a widespread culture of fear and revenge.
Source
Note: Every piece of content is rigorously reviewed by our team of experienced writers and editors to ensure its accuracy. Our writers use credible sources and adhere to strict fact-checking protocols to verify all claims and data before publication. If an error is identified, we promptly correct it and strive for transparency in all updates, feel free to reach out to us via email. We appreciate your trust and support!
Eliot Pierce is a dedicated writer for ChiefsFocus.com, covering local crime and finance news. With a keen eye for detail and a passion for storytelling, Eliot aims to provide his readers with clear and insightful analysis, helping them navigate the complexities of their financial lives while staying informed about important local events. His commitment to delivering accurate and engaging content makes him a valuable resource for the community.