Source: CNN
Shocking footage from body-worn cameras shows the violent treatment of Robert Brooks, a 43-year-old inmate, by correctional officers at the Marcy Correctional Facility in New York. Released by the New York Attorney General’s Office on Friday, the videos capture officers punching and kicking Brooks, who was handcuffed, in an incident that led to his death.
Brooks, serving a 12-year sentence for first-degree assault since 2017, was pronounced dead on December 10 at Wynn Hospital in Utica, according to Attorney General Letitia James. The Attorney General’s Office of Special Investigations has launched an inquiry into the incident.
“This death will be investigated thoroughly and swiftly,” James assured, while describing the footage as “shocking and disturbing.”
Incident overview
The videos, which lack audio due to officers failing to activate their body cameras, show Brooks being carried into the facility face down, handcuffed, and transported to a medical examination room. There, officers repeatedly struck him. One officer is seen shoving an object into Brooks' mouth while another punches his face. Another officer used a shoe to hit Brooks, and others delivered blows to his chest and groin.
Throughout the footage, Brooks appears restrained and non-threatening, yet officers continue using force. After being struck and moved into different positions on the medical exam table, Brooks is ultimately left lying motionless, his hands uncuffed.
Medical concerns
Dr. Jeremy Faust, an emergency physician at Brigham and Women’s Hospital, reviewed the footage for CNN. He noted that the way officers lifted Brooks could have caused a fatal spinal cord injury. The hyperextension of Brooks' neck, coupled with the force applied, might have led to paralysis, affecting his ability to breathe.
“My jaw hit the floor when I saw it,” Faust said. “It looked like just enough force in the right direction to do real damage.”
Authorities have not yet released an official cause of death.
Law enforcement standards and potential misconduct
Bryce Peterson, a senior researcher at the Center for Justice Research and Innovation, explained that standard protocol allows force only when maintaining discipline or addressing direct threats. Based on the footage, Peterson noted that Brooks was compliant during much of the encounter, making the officers’ actions appear excessive.
“This is a clear example of unnecessary and potentially unlawful violence,” Peterson said, referencing moments when officers struck Brooks after cleaning blood from his face.
The U.S. Supreme Court’s 1992 ruling on police use of force establishes that actions must align with the necessity of maintaining order—a standard seemingly violated in this case.
Official responses
New York Governor Kathy Hochul expressed outrage after viewing the footage. She ordered an internal review of the incident and directed the state correction department to terminate 14 workers involved.
“The vast majority of correction officers do extraordinary work under difficult circumstances,” Hochul stated. “However, those who cross the line and engage in unnecessary violence must be held accountable.”
Commissioner Daniel F. Martuscello III of the state Department of Corrections and Community Supervision called the videos “deeply repulsive.” He announced measures to prevent similar incidents, including daily audits to ensure body camera compliance and greater oversight by senior leaders.
Elizabeth Mazur, an attorney for the Brooks family, called the footage "horrific and violent" and pledged to pursue justice for Brooks’ memory and improved safety for inmates.
The union representing New York correctional officers, NYSCOPBA, condemned the actions shown in the video as "incomprehensible" and stated that such conduct does not reflect the integrity of the majority of its members.
Calls for accountability and reform
The violent death of Robert Brooks has reignited discussions about the treatment of inmates and the use of force within correctional facilities. Advocates and officials stress the need for systemic change to prevent future tragedies.
Marcy Correctional Facility, located in Oneida County about 52 miles east of Syracuse, is now at the center of an intense investigation into practices and oversight within New York’s prison system.
This story uses information from CNN and its contributing reporters, Caroll Alvarado, Emma Tucker, and Tanika Gray.
