Shocking Footage Reveals Fatal Assault on Robert Brooks
Newly released body camera footage reveals a disturbing assault on Robert Brooks, a 43-year-old man who was fatally beaten by correctional officers at the Marcy Correctional Facility in New York. The incident occurred on December 9, and the footage was made public on Friday by New York Attorney General Letitia James, who is investigating the officers’ actions.
Attorney General Issues Warning
“These videos are shocking and disturbing and I advise all to take appropriate care before choosing to watch them,” said James. The footage shows officers repeatedly punching Brooks, striking him in the chest with a shoe, and lifting him by the neck before dropping him. Brooks was handcuffed during the attack and later pronounced dead at a hospital the following morning.
New York Governor Kathy Hochul expressed outrage, stating she was “horrified” by the “senseless killing.” Thirteen correctional officers and a nurse implicated in the attack are set to face termination.
Autopsy Findings Raise Concerns
Preliminary autopsy findings suggest Brooks’ cause of death was related to asphyxia due to neck compression, with indications that his death resulted from the actions of others. The final autopsy results are pending.
Brutality Captured on Video
The graphic footage shows officers attacking Brooks as he sits handcuffed on a medical table. One officer uses a shoe to strike him, while another yanks him by the neck. The footage ends with Brooks lying motionless, bloodied, and partially unclothed. The body cameras worn by the officers lacked audio due to being improperly activated.
We will not be posting the video here.
Public Reaction and Calls for Accountability
Elizabeth Mazur, a lawyer representing Brooks’ family, said, “As viewers can see, Mr. Brooks was fatally, violently beaten by a group of officers whose job was to keep him safe. He deserved to live, and everyone else living in Marcy Correctional Facility deserves to know they do not have to live in fear of violence at the hands of prison staff.”
The Correctional Association of New York, a prison oversight group, had previously documented reports of brutality and racism at Marcy Correctional Facility during a monitoring visit two years ago.
Union Response
The New York State Correctional Officers and Police Benevolent Association condemned the behavior, stating: “What we witnessed is incomprehensible to say the least and is certainly not reflective of the great work that the vast majority of our membership conducts every day. This incident not only endangers our entire membership but undermines the integrity of our profession. We cannot and will not condone this behavior.”
Attorney General Letitia James is leading the investigation into the use of force, but it remains unclear whether any of the involved officers will face criminal charges. With the release of the videos, the public now has a chance to witness the events that led to Brooks’ death, intensifying calls for justice and accountability in New York’s correctional system.
