The events took place on the evening of December 9, in a New York State prison. In these videos, Robert Brooks, face bloodied, receives numerous blows. He died in the night of “asphyxia caused by neck compression”.
“Shocking” and “disturbing” images. This Friday, December 27, New York authorities released images showing violence inflicted on an African-American inmate, who died after being beaten by prison officers, reports France Info.
On these video surveillance images, we see at least six guards surrounding the detainee, handcuffed, stunned and injured in the face. On several occasions he is held firmly by the neck. While he seems subdued on an infirmary bed, an agent puts on a plastic glove, grabs him by the collar and pins him against a wall.
Without sound, it is impossible to understand the exchanges between the officers and to know what led to such violence. According to New York State Attorney General Letitia James, the cameras were “on,” but “officers had not activated them, resulting in no sound.”
Fourteen employees sacked
Viewing the videos deeply upset the detainee's loved ones, explained the detainee's family lawyer, Elizabeth Mazur. The events occurred on the evening of December 9, in a prison in upstate New York. The inmate, Robert Brooks, 43, died overnight of “asphyxia caused by neck compression”. He was serving a 12-year prison sentence for acts of violence.
After several days of silence, New York State Governor Kathy Hochul announced on December 21 that she had ordered the dismissal of 14 prison employees involved in the incident. “We have no tolerance for those who cross the line, break the law or engage in unjustified violence,” she said.
The United States is regularly shaken by episodes of violence committed by law enforcement. On May 25, 2020, the death of George Floyd, killed in Minneapolis during a check by a police officer, provoked a wave of protests in the country and elsewhere in the world.
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