While anti-police activists commonly attempt to portray law enforcement officers as inherent racists determined to target minorities, one recent incident has left even ardent police supporters feeling outraged.
According to reports, 43-year-old Robert Brooks was handcuffed to a prison infirmary bed on Dec. 9 when multiple officers could be seen on body cam footage physically attacking him. He reportedly died the following day.
As NBC News reported:
Brooks can be seen in the videos with his hands cuffed behind his back. In one video, he is sitting up as an officer presses his foot down on him. He is then punched by two officers.
At another point, he is forcefully yanked from the bed by his shirt collar and held up above the ground, his face visibly bloodied.
Last week, Gov. Kathy Hochul ordered the state Department of Corrections and Community Supervision to begin the process of firing 14 workers at the Marcy Correctional Facility in Oneida County, where the incident occurred. They include correctional officers, sergeants and a prison nurse. In the interim, all have been suspended without pay, except for one officer, who already resigned.
In a statement following the release of the videos, Daniel Martuscello, the commissioner of the state corrections department, said his office has launched its own investigation in an effort to bring “institutional change.”
“Watching the video evidence of Robert Brooks’ life being taken left me feeling deeply repulsed and nauseated,” Martuscello said. “There is no excuse and no rationalization for a vulgar, inhumane act that senselessly took a life. This type of behavior cannot be normalized, and I will not allow it to be within DOCCS.”
ADVERTISEMENT
The alarming footage has fueled an onslaught of social media anger since it was released. Reader discretion is advised:
NEW: Body-cam footage released showing New York correctional officers "fatally beat" a man in handcuffs. Incident happened during a transfer after Brooks was sentenced to 12 years in prison in 2017 for first-degree assault.
43-year-old Robert Brooks died on December 10th at… pic.twitter.com/mu9QTKukIx
— Oliya Scootercaster 🛴 (@ScooterCasterNY) December 27, 2024
Very sad, the few bad apples in law enforcement give a bad rep to the majority, very sad. Fire the bad apples.
— Tigger (@TigranAreshian) December 27, 2024
NEW: Body-cam footage released showing New York correctional officers smirking as they "fatally beat" a man in handcuffs.
Sickening.
43-year-old Robert Brooks passed away on Dec 10 at Wynn Hospital in Utica, NY.
The New York Attorney General’s Office of Special Investigations… pic.twitter.com/BwLPnOS9fH
— Collin Rugg (@CollinRugg) December 27, 2024
For the sake of clarity, here’s a transcript of the X post embedded above:
NEW: Body-cam footage released showing New York correctional officers smirking as they “fatally beat” a man in handcuffs.
Sickening.
43-year-old Robert Brooks passed away on Dec 10 at Wynn Hospital in Utica, NY. The New York Attorney General’s Office of Special Investigations has since launched an investigation, saying the “videos are shocking and disturbing.”
Brooks was sentenced to 12 years in prison in 2017 for first-degree assault.
The incident followed a transfer where Brooks had been moved from Mohawk Correctional Facility to Marcy Correctional Facility on December 9.
ADVERTISEMENTBrooks could be seen being assaulted by the officers in what CNN describes as a “fatal beating.” Audio of the tragedy was not activated.
It’s unclear what exactly led up to the incident.
“As expected, watching the horrific and violent final moments of Robert’s life was devastating for his loved ones, and will be disturbing to anyone who views the video following its release by the Attorney General’s Office,” Brooks’ family said.
“We will not rest until we have secured justice for Robert’s memory, and safety for the prisoners at Marcy Correctional Facility.”
Local Utica TV station WKTV provided additional coverage of the incident:
Brooks was taken by ambulance to Wynn Hospital on Dec. 10, where he was pronounced deceased.
An autopsy of Brooks was conducted by the Onondaga County Medical Examiner’s Office on Dec. 11.
“This affiant has received information from the Onondaga County Medical Examiner’s office stating the cause and manner of death are still pending; however, the preliminary findings show concern for asphyxia due to compression of the neck as the cause of death, as well as the death being due to actions of another,” according to the documentation.
ADVERTISEMENTThe final cause and manner of death are pending at this time.
Here’s some additional coverage of the story:
Join the conversation!
Please share your thoughts about this article below. We value your opinions, and would love to see you add to the discussion!