Shocking new bodycam footage has emerged showing New York corrections officers repeatedly assaulting a handcuffed inmate, Robert Brooks, who tragically died the following day. Brooks, 43, was pronounced dead on December 10, 2024, at the Marcy Correctional Facility in upstate New York. His death followed a violent incident involving the corrections staff.
This article contains descriptions that some people may find distressing
The footage, released by New York Attorney General Letitia James, depicts a disturbing scene where officers are seen striking Brooks in the face and groin while he is restrained on an examination table. One officer appears to place an object in Brooks’ mouth before delivering additional blows, including a kick to his stomach with a shoe. In another disturbing moment, an officer lifts Brooks by his neck, slamming him back onto the table.
The tragic incident, which occurred on December 9, 2024, led to an internal investigation. Following the review, Governor Kathy Hochul of New York announced the firing of 13 officers and a prison nurse involved in the assault. The cause of death has been confirmed as “asphyxia due to compression of the neck,” according to a preliminary medical examination. It remains unclear what led Brooks to be taken to the medical facility initially.
In the wake of the release, Attorney General Letitia James emphasized her commitment to transparency and accountability, stating that she does not take the decision to release such footage lightly, especially during the holiday season. She pointed out that it was important to provide clarity to Brooks’ family and the public regarding the disturbing circumstances leading to his death.
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Brooks was serving a 12-year sentence for first-degree assault at the time of the incident. He had recently been transferred to Marcy Correctional Facility from the Mohawk Correctional Facility the same day. His lawyer, Elizabeth Mazur, condemned the actions of the officers involved, describing them as “horrific” and emphasizing that Brooks’ family deserved justice for the senseless tragedy.
Governor Hochul expressed her outrage and commitment to ensuring accountability for the involved parties. “The state of New York has zero tolerance for lawbreaking, and those responsible for this violent incident must face full consequences,” she stated.
In response to the tragic footage and incident, the union representing the corrections officers has called the video “incomprehensible,” but the focus remains on securing justice for Robert Brooks and preventing future abuses of power within New York’s correctional facilities.
For more information, read the full article on BBC News.
