Bodycam Footage Shows Prison Guards in NY Beating Handcuffed Inmate Before Death

Bodycam footage released on Friday shows corrections officers at a prison near Utica, New York beating a handcuffed inmate who died the following morning.

The Details: The inmate, Robert Brooks, was pronounced dead on December 10 according to New York Attorney General Letitia James, who has opened an investigation into the matter. After an internal review, New York Governor Kathy Hochul ordered the 13 officers and prison nurse involved to be fired.

For Context: Brooks was imprisoned in 2017 and was serving a 12-year sentence for first-degree assault. The video shows an officer stuffing an item that resembles a towel into Brooks’ mouth before several officers aggressively beat and choke him. James said four of the officers had bodycams but didn’t turn them on, so audio of the incident was not recorded.

Key Quotes: James said, “As attorney general, I release these videos because I have a responsibility and duty to provide the Brooks family, their loved ones, and all New Yorkers with transparency and accountability.” The Correction Officers' Benevolent Association of New York (COBA) union, which represents the state's corrections officers, said: “The egregious and repugnant actions of the officers who committed this heinous and fatal assault of Robert Brooks at the Marcy Correctional Facility do not in any way reflect the values of the vast majority of Corrections Officers.”

How the Media Covered It: CNN (Lean Left bias) and Newsmax (Right bias) both included statements from organizations that represent corrections officers. CNN highlighted one from state Department of Corrections and Community Supervision Commissioner Daniel F. Martuscello, who said “Institutional change must follow.” Newsmax included the statement from COBA.