Death of an African American inmate in a New York prison: ongoing investigation and dismissals

Robert Brooks, 43, died after a violent beating by three prison guards. The investigation involves Attorney General Letitia James and has already led to the dismissal and suspension of several guards

On the morning of 10 December, Robert Brooks, a 43-year-old African-American, died after suffering a violent beating the previous day in the Marcy Correctional Facility, located in Oneida County, New York. Rushed to Wynn Hospital in Utica, the man died of ‘asphyxiation due to compression of the neck’, the medical report confirmed.

The episode of brutal violence was captured by one of the prison guards’ cameras. The images show Brooks with his hands tied behind his back as he was repeatedly hit by three officers, even when he was lying unconscious on the ground with his face covered in blood. Other guards, present at the scene, did not intervene to stop the beating. The video, made public by New York Attorney General Letitia James, is now the focus of an official investigation.

‘My deepest condolences to Mr. Brooks‘ family,’ James said during a press conference, emphasising the gravity of the case and the need for transparency. ‘The decision to make these images public was not taken lightly, but it is my responsibility to do so,’ he said, announcing a “thorough” investigation already underway. James also reported that members of his team have met with the victim’s family to discuss next steps.

The commissioner of the state prison system, Daniel Martuscello, reacted strongly to the incident, announcing the immediate dismissal of the guards involved, while thirteen others were suspended without pay. One guard resigned following the incident. ‘This is a cowardly and inhuman act, and we will ensure that there are those responsible for the death of Robert Brooks,’ Martuscello said. He also promised to initiate internal reforms to prevent similar incidents in the future, reiterating that ‘these people do not represent the values of the department’.

Brooks was being held to serve a 12-year prison sentence.

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(Photo: © AndKronos)