New York AG Releases Disturbing Bodycam Footage of Fatal Prisoner Beating

New York Attorney General Letitia James has released what she describes as “shocking and disturbing” body camera footage depicting the fatal beating of Robert Brooks by correctional officers at Marcy Correctional Facility. The incident, which led to Brooks’ death on December 10, 2024, has sparked widespread outrage and calls for systemic reform within New York’s correctional system.

The footage, released on December 27, 2024, captures the events of December 9, showing Brooks, 43, in handcuffs, being assaulted by multiple officers while on an infirmary bed. The video has no audio, as the cameras were in standby mode, but the visual evidence alone has been enough to provoke a strong reaction from the public and officials alike.

Following the incident, New York Governor Kathy Hochul ordered the termination of 14 Department of Corrections and Community Supervision (DOCCS) employees involved in or witnessing the attack, including correctional officers, sergeants, and a nurse. Only one officer resigned before the action was taken.

State corrections commissioner Daniel Martuscello III condemned the act as “vulgar and inhumane,” pledging to institute systemic changes to prevent such incidents. The New York State Correctional Officers and Police Benevolent Association also denounced the behavior, emphasizing that it was not representative of their membership’s values.

The Attorney General’s Office is conducting a thorough investigation into Brooks’ death, with preliminary findings suggesting asphyxia due to neck compression as the cause. This incident has reignited discussions about the use of force by correctional officers, the culture within New York’s prison system, and the need for accountability and reform.

Public reactions on social media and from advocacy groups have been swift, with many demanding justice for Brooks and systemic changes to address what some describe as a culture of violence and racial injustice within the correctional system. The footage has also led to calls for increased transparency and the mandatory use of body cameras in all interactions between staff and inmates.

This case has not only highlighted the immediate tragedy of Robert Brooks’ death but has also brought to light broader issues regarding the treatment of inmates, the oversight of correctional officers, and the broader implications for prison reform in New York and beyond.