“The perpetrators have been rightfully charged with murder, and State Police are making arrests,” stated Governor Kathy Hochul.
Murder charges have been brought in the death of Robert Brooks, a 43-year-old inmate who was beaten by guards at an upstate New York prison in December.
The accusations were revealed Thursday by Governor Kathy Hochul, who also stated that arrests would be made by New York State Police. She did not say how many charges were filed or who was charged.
Hochul added, “Robert Brooks should be alive today,” in a statement. “I moved right away to fire those responsible for the vicious attack on Mr. Brooks because it was disgusting. The State Police are currently conducting arrests and the offenders have been duly charged with murder.
No charges have been formally announced by the Onondaga County District Attorney’s Office yet.
At the Marcy Correctional Facility, Brooks was punched and kicked by several guards while his hands were cuffed behind his back, according to bodycam footage taken on December 9. When the attack happened, Brooks was lying on a hospital bed, and his face was clearly covered in blood at one point in the footage.
After being brought to a hospital, he passed on the next day. According to his family’s lawyer, an autopsy report determined that Brooks’ manner of death was homicide.
Attorney Elizabeth Mazur previously told News Media that Brooks’ death was caused by multiple blunt force injuries and compression of the neck.
Following the release of video showing Brooks being beaten, Hochul issued an order terminating 14 employees at the Marcy Correctional Facility. The incident was described as “not reflective of the great work that the vast majority of our membership conducts every day” by the New York State Correctional Officers and Police Benevolent Association.
Last month, Brooks’ estate filed a legal case alleging that 17 individuals used excessive force in addition to other charges related to his passing.