Newly Released Video Shows Horrific Beating of Handcuffed Inmate
A shocking video of a fatal prison beating in New York has been made public, revealing the disturbing actions of correctional officers towards a handcuffed inmate. The video, released by the state’s attorney general, shows officers repeatedly punching Robert Brooks, 43, in the face and groin while he is restrained on a medical examination table. The officers are seen striking him with a shoe in the chest and lifting him by the neck, dropping him back onto the table.
The incident took place at the Marcy Correctional Facility in Oneida County, where Brooks was pronounced dead at a hospital the morning after the assault. The video has sparked outrage and horror, with Governor Kathy Hochul announcing that thirteen correctional officers and a nurse involved in the attack will face termination.
Investigation and Reactions
New York Attorney General Letitia James has expressed shock and concern over the footage, cautioning viewers about its disturbing nature. The final results of Brooks’ autopsy are pending, but preliminary findings suggest possible asphyxiation due to neck compression as the cause of death.
The release of the video has prompted calls for accountability and transparency from various groups and individuals. Brooks’ family lawyer, Elizabeth Mazur, has condemned the officers’ actions, emphasizing that Brooks deserved to live and that others should not fear violence from prison staff. The Correctional Association of New York and The Legal Aid Society have also called for a full investigation into the incident and a reevaluation of correctional staff’s use of force.
Union and Community Response
The New York State Correctional Officers and Police Benevolent Association has disavowed the officers’ behavior, stating that it is not representative of the majority of its members’ conduct. The union emphasized the need to uphold professional standards and ensure the safety of both its members and inmates within the correctional system.
The incident has not only raised concerns about the treatment of inmates but has also shed light on systemic issues within the correctional system. Calls for transparency, accountability, and reform are echoing throughout the community, demanding justice for Robert Brooks and a safer environment for those incarcerated in New York’s prisons.
