Video of the inmate being beaten to death shows him being handcuffed and being beaten and kicked by guards
Body camera footage released on Friday showed correctional officers at Marcy Correctional Facility in upstate New York fatally punching and kicking a handcuffed inmate, an incident that is being investigated by New York’s attorney general.
Robert Brooks was pronounced dead at Wynn Hospital in Utica on Dec. 10, according to Attorney General Letitia James. Brooks, 43, is serving a 12-year sentence for first-degree assault since 2017, according to the Associated Press.
CNN is reviewing the video, part of which shows Brooks’s hands handcuffed behind his back on the examination table in the medical examination room as police officers around him punch and kick him. In some shots, Brooks’ face appears bloodied.
At one point, an officer appeared to put something into Brooks’ mouth and then hit him repeatedly in the face. Another officer then struck Brooks in the groin with his fist and hit him with his shoe.
The New York Attorney General’s Office of Special Investigations previously announced that it had launched an investigation into Brooks’ death.
Robert Brooks (left) and his son Robert Brooks Jr. in an undated photo. – Brooks Family
“As attorney general, I assure you that we will investigate this death thoroughly and expeditiously using every tool at our disposal,” James said Friday.
She said the four officers involved wore body cameras but did not activate them, so the cameras did not record audio of the incident.
“These videos are shocking and disturbing and I advise everyone to take appropriate caution before choosing to view them,” she said.
Brooks was transferred to Marcy Correctional Institution on Dec. 9 from Mohawk Correctional Facility, another Oneida County prison, according to James.
Part of the footage showed Brooks being carried into the building by three police officers, face down and with his hands cuffed behind his back. It’s unclear what led to Brooks being brought into the exam room.
Robert Brooks emerges after being beaten by prison guards at Massey Correctional Facility. – New York State Attorney General
‘Institutional change must follow’
New York officials quickly condemned the fatal beating. Gov. Kathy Hochul said Friday she was “outraged and shocked after seeing footage of the senseless killing of Robert Brooks.” The governor previously said in a statement on Saturday that she had directed an internal review of Brooks’ death and asked the state Department of Corrections to fire the 14 workers involved.
“The vast majority of correctional officers do an extraordinary job under difficult circumstances, and we are all grateful for their service,” Hochul said. “But we will not tolerate those who cross the line, break the law and engage in unnecessary violence or targeting. Sexually abusive people.”
The state Department of Corrections and Community Supervision also condemned the attack. Commissioner Daniel F. Martuscello III said in a statement shared with CNN that he was “deeply disgusted and sickened” by the video and that he would implement “institutional changes” at the department.
“It is not enough to simply condemn this horrific behavior and then get back to business,” Matucello said. “Institutional change must follow, and we have begun taking proactive steps to ensure that no Something like this happens again.”
The commissioner said he has conducted daily audits to ensure each facility’s body-worn cameras are activated properly and has taken steps to ensure “senior leaders” are present during all shifts at each facility.
Marcy Correctional Institution is a medium-security state prison located in Oneida County, approximately 52 miles east of Syracuse.
Elizabeth Mazur, an attorney for the Brooks family, said in a statement to CNN that the Brooks family has reviewed body camera footage of the beating.
The statement read: “As expected, watching the horrific and violent final moments of Robert’s life was devastating for his loved ones and, following the release of the video by the Attorney General’s Office, anyone who views the video will be Disturbed. “We will not rest until justice is served in Robert’s memory and the safety of the inmates at Massey Correctional Facility is ensured. “
NYSCOPBA, the union representing New York correctional officers, said in a statement on Sunday that the footage of the beating was “incomprehensible to say the least” and “certainly does not reflect the great work that the vast majority of our members do every day.”
This is a developing story and will be updated.
CNN’s Caroll Alvarado and Tanika Gray contributed to this report.
For more CNN news and newsletters, create an account at CNN.com
