Warning: Link contains graphic video content.New York Attorney General Letitia James released body camera footage on Friday of the fatal beating of a man by New York State Department of Corrections and Community Supervision officers at an upstate New York prison earlier this month.James' office has been investigating the death of Robert Brooks for several weeks, and her office released the body-worn camera footage from the officers involved in the attack at Marcy Correctional Facility in Oneida County following the Dec. 9 incident that led to Brooks' death.Brooks was an inmate at Mohawk Correctional Facility who was transferred to Marcy Correctional Facility on Dec. 9. Brooks, who had his hands cuffed behind his back, was taken to a medical examination room, where several corrections officers can be seen attacking, punching and choking him as he lies in a semi-conscious state.Thirteen correction officers and a nurse implicated in the attack will face termination, according to New York Gov. Kathy Hochul.Brooks was transported to a local hospital following the incident and pronounced dead the following morning. The footage made public Friday by the New York Attorney General Letitia James shows correction officers repeatedly punching Brooks in the face and groin as he sits handcuffed on a medical examination table. As one of the officers uses a shoe to strike Brooks in the stomach, another yanks him up by his neck and drops him back on the table. The officers then remove the man’s shirt and pants as he lies motionless and bloodied on his back.Brooks was declared dead at a hospital the following morning. Preliminary findings from a medical examination indicate “concern for asphyxia due to compression of the neck as the cause of death, as well as the death being due to actions of another,” according to court filings. The final results of the autopsy are still pending.The videos do not include audio because the body cameras had not been activated by the officers wearing them.James said her office was investigating the use of force that led to the death, but did not say whether any of the officers involved in the beating would face criminal charges.“These videos are shocking and disturbing and I advise all to take appropriate care before choosing to watch them,” she added.An attorney for Brooks did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Brooks had been serving a 12-year prison sentence for first-degree assault since 2017, according to the department. He had arrived at the Marcy Correctional Facility only hours before the beating, after being transferred from another nearby state prison, officials said.The Correctional Association of New York, a prison oversight group, said they had documented reports of pervasive brutality and racism inside the Marcy Correctional Facility during a monitoring visit two years ago.In a statement, the president of the New York State Sheriffs’ Association, Craig DuMond, said he was “shocked, like all right thinking people, by the actions” of the officers.“No human being should be treated that way by another human being,” he added. “And it is made even worse by the fact that the extreme cruelty was inflicted by those entrusted with the power of government, against those they were entrusted to guard and protect.”New York Gov. Kathy Hochul also released the following statement regarding Brooks' death:"Like all New Yorkers, I was outraged and horrified after seeing footage of the senseless killing of Robert Brooks. I have been clear that it is the responsibility of the New York State Department of Corrections and Community Supervision to provide appropriate care and protection for those in its custody, and I will not tolerate anyone who violates that responsibility. "That is why I ordered an immediate and full investigation into the death of Robert Brooks and further directed DOCCS Commissioner Martuscello to begin the termination process for the 14 individuals who were involved in his fatal attack. The State of New York has zero tolerance for individuals who break the law, and I am committed to holding everyone involved fully accountable. "Once again, I want to offer my deepest condolences to Mr. Brooks’ family and loved ones as they grieve his tragic death. I am grateful to the Attorney General and her team, our State Police, and everyone working with us to ensure justice is served in this case."Senate Republican Leader Rob Ortt released the following statement:"I am sickened by the brutal and senseless attack at Marcy Correctional Facility. The footage is absolutely appalling, and these violent actions cannot be tolerated. While this incident will understandably outrage New Yorkers, it’s important to recognize that this horrific event does not reflect the dedicated service of the countless correction officers who risk their lives every day to maintain order and safety in our prisons. Those responsible must be held fully accountable – there is no excuse for this behavior."The Associated Press contributed to this report.
MARCY, N.Y. —
Warning: Link contains graphic video content.
New York Attorney General Letitia James released body camera footage on Friday of the fatal beating of a man by New York State Department of Corrections and Community Supervision officers at an upstate New York prison earlier this month.
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James' office has been investigating the death of Robert Brooks for several weeks, and her office released the body-worn camera footage from the officers involved in the attack at Marcy Correctional Facility in Oneida County following the Dec. 9 incident that led to Brooks' death.
Brooks was an inmate at Mohawk Correctional Facility who was transferred to Marcy Correctional Facility on Dec. 9. Brooks, who had his hands cuffed behind his back, was taken to a medical examination room, where several corrections officers can be seen attacking, punching and choking him as he lies in a semi-conscious state.
Thirteen correction officers and a nurse implicated in the attack will face termination, according to New York Gov. Kathy Hochul.
Brooks was transported to a local hospital following the incident and pronounced dead the following morning.
The footage made public Friday by the New York Attorney General Letitia James shows correction officers repeatedly punching Brooks in the face and groin as he sits handcuffed on a medical examination table.
As one of the officers uses a shoe to strike Brooks in the stomach, another yanks him up by his neck and drops him back on the table. The officers then remove the man’s shirt and pants as he lies motionless and bloodied on his back.
Brooks was declared dead at a hospital the following morning. Preliminary findings from a medical examination indicate “concern for asphyxia due to compression of the neck as the cause of death, as well as the death being due to actions of another,” according to court filings. The final results of the autopsy are still pending.
The videos do not include audio because the body cameras had not been activated by the officers wearing them.
James said her office was investigating the use of force that led to the death, but did not say whether any of the officers involved in the beating would face criminal charges.
“These videos are shocking and disturbing and I advise all to take appropriate care before choosing to watch them,” she added.
An attorney for Brooks did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
Brooks had been serving a 12-year prison sentence for first-degree assault since 2017, according to the department. He had arrived at the Marcy Correctional Facility only hours before the beating, after being transferred from another nearby state prison, officials said.
The Correctional Association of New York, a prison oversight group, said they had documented reports of pervasive brutality and racism inside the Marcy Correctional Facility during a monitoring visit two years ago.
In a statement, the president of the New York State Sheriffs’ Association, Craig DuMond, said he was “shocked, like all right thinking people, by the actions” of the officers.
“No human being should be treated that way by another human being,” he added. “And it is made even worse by the fact that the extreme cruelty was inflicted by those entrusted with the power of government, against those they were entrusted to guard and protect.”
New York Gov. Kathy Hochul also released the following statement regarding Brooks' death:
"Like all New Yorkers, I was outraged and horrified after seeing footage of the senseless killing of Robert Brooks. I have been clear that it is the responsibility of the New York State Department of Corrections and Community Supervision to provide appropriate care and protection for those in its custody, and I will not tolerate anyone who violates that responsibility.
"That is why I ordered an immediate and full investigation into the death of Robert Brooks and further directed DOCCS Commissioner Martuscello to begin the termination process for the 14 individuals who were involved in his fatal attack. The State of New York has zero tolerance for individuals who break the law, and I am committed to holding everyone involved fully accountable.
"Once again, I want to offer my deepest condolences to Mr. Brooks’ family and loved ones as they grieve his tragic death. I am grateful to the Attorney General and her team, our State Police, and everyone working with us to ensure justice is served in this case."
Senate Republican Leader Rob Ortt released the following statement:
"I am sickened by the brutal and senseless attack at Marcy Correctional Facility. The footage is absolutely appalling, and these violent actions cannot be tolerated. While this incident will understandably outrage New Yorkers, it’s important to recognize that this horrific event does not reflect the dedicated service of the countless correction officers who risk their lives every day to maintain order and safety in our prisons.
Those responsible must be held fully accountable – there is no excuse for this behavior."
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
