Syracuse, N.Y. — The recent death of an inmate at a New York state prison has been officially classified as a homicide following an autopsy, which attributed the death to physical violence by corrections officers. Robert L. Brooks, 43, suffered fatal injuries in an encounter with multiple guards at Marcy Correctional Facility, resulting in an extensive investigation into his death and broader prison conduct.
Elizabeth Mazur, representing the Brooks family, disclosed that an autopsy conducted by the Onondaga County Medical Examiner’s Office identified the cause of death as neck compression and multiple blunt-force injuries. The examination revealed significant bruising, a broken nasal bone, and internal bleeding in the neck and genital areas. The findings prompted authorities to schedule a grand jury review of the case.
On December 9, several corrections officers were reported to have repeatedly punched and kicked Brooks in sensitive areas including the groin and abdomen, as well as assaulting his face and back. This altercation occurred in the prison’s infirmary and tragically concluded with Brooks’ death hours later in a hospital in Utica.
Adding to the evidence, the incident was captured on video by the body cameras worn by the implicated guards, despite the guards not activating their cameras. A crucial 30 minutes of footage was nonetheless recorded passively, capturing the violence without sound. Images from the footage show a disturbing scene where guards can be seen assaulting Brooks, including an officer applying severe force around Brooks’ neck.
The unfolding investigation is currently being spearheaded by Onondaga County District Attorney William Fitzpatrick, recently appointed as a special prosecutor. Fitzpatrick stated, “My investigation team is making great progress,” but has chosen to refrain from further comments until the grand jury makes a determination on potential charges.
Amidst federal and state inquiries, the family of Brooks has taken legal action against state officials, citing a mismanaged and abusive prison system. The lawsuit claims the system is fraught with brutality against inmates. Before his prison sentence for a first-degree assault in 2017, Brooks had a troubled history, including violence against a partner.
State officials have been forcefully responding to the incident, with Gov. Kathy Hochul visiting Marcy Correctional Facility and putting forward a range of reforms aimed at enhancing the prison environment. Following the incident, measures were taken to terminate all state employees involved in the beating, as part of the governor’s directives to address and rectify systemic issues within state correctional facilities.
Brooks had been transferred to Marcy for his safety due to conflicts at a previous facility, indicating possible known risks to his well-being, which were tragically realized. This case has drawn attention to Marcy Correctional Facility, a medium-security prison housing 830 inmates, spotlighted earlier by an independent watchdog’s reports of frequent inmate abuse and a prevailing culture of intimidation and retaliation among the staff.
The Correctional Association of New York, after surveying over 100 inmates last fall, concluded that employee misconduct was widespread, fostering a climate of fear that may have contributed to such incidents of violence. The ongoing investigations by both federal bodies like the FBI and U.S. Department of Justice, alongside state agencies, signify a crucial juncture in addressing systemic issues within state-run correctional facilities, potentially prompting significant procedural and operational reforms.