Body camera videos showing New York State correctional officers beating an inmate the day before his death caused a scandal in the United States and an investigation was opened by the New York State Attorney General.
Robert Brooks died on December 10 at Wynn Hospital in Utica. The 43-year-old man was serving a 12-year prison sentence for an assault committed in 2017.
However, on December 9, he was violently corrected by several employees of the Marcy Correctional Center.
Images released by the New York State Attorney General
In the images revealed Friday, we can see the correctional officers drag the inmate down a corridor then bring him into a room before punching and kicking him, even though he is handcuffed, his hands in the back.
At one point, an officer even puts an object in Robert Brooks’ mouth, as a gag, before punching him several times in the face. One of his colleagues hits the prisoner in the crotch then hits him with a shoe.
Images released by the New York State Attorney General
“You have my word that we will use every means at our disposal to effectively and thoroughly investigate this death,” said New York State Attorney General Laetitia James.
“These images are shocking and disturbing,” she added.
In total, footage from eight body cameras was made public.
Images released by the New York State Attorney General
New York State Governor Kathy Hochul reacted strongly to the publication of these videos.
“Like all New Yorkers, I was outraged and horrified after seeing the images of the senseless murder of Robert Brooks,” she said in an official statement.
She called for a full investigation as well as the dismissal of the 14 agents involved in this story.
“New York State has no tolerance for individuals who break the law and I am committed to ensuring that everyone involved is held accountable for their actions,” the governor said.
