Footage shows New York inmate beaten by guards before death

Footage shows New York inmate beaten by guards before death

/ 12:00 PM December 28, 2024

Footage shows New York inmate beaten by guards before death

EDITORS NOTE: Graphic content / This screenshot taken from New York State Department of Corrections and Community Supervision (DOCCS) body camera footage and released by the Office of the New York State Attorney General shows DOCCS officers with Robert Brooks at Marcy Correctional Facility in Oneida County, New York on December 9, 2024. Agence France-Presse

NEW YORK — Law enforcement in the US state of New York on Friday released “devastating” footage of prison guards beating a Black inmate shortly before he died.

The body-worn camera footage, recorded the night of December 9, shows Robert Brooks, 43, brutalized by multiple prison guards, with his face bloodied and neck held.

Article continues after this advertisement

Brooks, an inmate at a northern New York prison serving a 12-year sentence for assault, was pronounced dead later that night.

FEATURED STORIES

READ: US teen pleads guilty to racist massacre at supermarket

Letitia James, the attorney general of New York, said the video was released to provide “transparency and accountability.”

Article continues after this advertisement

In a statement, Brooks’ relatives said they found “watching the horrific and violent final moments of Robert’s life was devastating for his loved ones.”

Article continues after this advertisement

“We will not rest until we have secured justice for Robert’s memory,” the statement added.

Article continues after this advertisement

The footage shows Brooks restrained on what appears to be a hospital bed with several guards holding him down and beating him.

READ: Black jogger’s killers convicted on all hate-crimes charges

Article continues after this advertisement

Brooks is later seen sitting up and gets dragged off the bed by his collar.

A preliminary autopsy reported in local press said the cause of death was “asphyxia due to compression of the neck,” though full autopsy results remain pending.

The footage lacks audio, which James said was because the guards “did not activate” their body-worn cameras despite them being on, leading to the soundless recording.

New York Governor Kathy Hochul condemned the incident in a statement.

“We have no tolerance for individuals who cross the line, break the law and engage in unnecessary violence or targeted abuse,” she said.

Evidence of police brutality has been a galvanizing political force in the United States.

Your subscription could not be saved. Please try again.
Your subscription has been successful.

Subscribe to our daily newsletter

By providing an email address. I agree to the Terms of Use and acknowledge that I have read the Privacy Policy.

Footage of the 2020 death of George Floyd, a Black American, under the knee of a police officer sparked widespread outrage and led to racial justice protests across the country.

TAGS: Prison, Racism

Your subscription could not be saved. Please try again.
Your subscription has been successful.

Subscribe to our newsletter!

By providing an email address. I agree to the Terms of Use and acknowledge that I have read the Privacy Policy.

© Copyright 1997-2024 INQUIRER.net | All Rights Reserved

This is an information message

We use cookies to enhance your experience. By continuing, you agree to our use of cookies. Learn more here.