A gruesome body camera footage released by Attorney General Letitia James shows a handcuffed inmate, being brutally beaten by correction officers at Marcy Correctional Facility. The December 9 incident, now under investigation, left the inmate unconscious and stripped to his underwear in an examination room. He died due to his injuries the following day.
Robert Brooks, 43, was serving a 12-year sentence for first-degree assault. The footage, captured by four body cameras, reveals three guards repeatedly punching, kicking, and stomping on him while others stood by.
Blood streamed down the right side of Brooks’ swollen face as he endured the attack, which spanned approximately 30 minutes. At one point, a guard appeared to choke him before Brooks was left unconscious on an exam table.
The Onondaga County medical examiner attributed Brooks’ death to asphyxia caused by neck compression. The videos, released without audio due to the cameras being in standby mode, were shared by Attorney General James during a press conference.
In the conference on Friday, James said, “My deepest condolences to out to Mr. Brooks’ family,” adding “I do not take lightly the release of this video especially in the middle of the holiday season.”
She said that it is her “duty” and “responsibility” to provide the video to the public.
State corrections commissioner Daniel Martuscello III described the incident as “vulgar” and “inhumane,” adding that such acts “senselessly took a life.” He confirmed the suspension of 13 staff members without pay, while one employee has resigned.
At Governor Kathy Hochul’s request, steps to terminate those involved are underway. Martuscello pledged systemic changes to prevent similar incidents, as per the New York Post.
“This was a killing, and people will be held accountable,” Martuscello stated. “These individuals are not representative of the culture of DOCCS nor anything that DOCCS stands for.”
Reverend Al Sharpton condemned the attack, calling for criminal charges. “These officers clearly acted as though they had the right to treat a handcuffed man with unimaginable cruelty,” Sharpton said.
Meanwhile, concerns of unrest have arisen and increased security measures were implemented at Rikers Island after social media posts by the Gorilla Stone Bloods gang voiced support for Brooks. Law enforcement clarified that Brooks was not affiliated with the gang.
The Attorney General’s office continues its investigation, with James meeting Brooks’ family to review the footage. “This senseless act of violence demands justice,” she affirmed.
