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ROCHESTER, N.Y. (WROC) - The New York Attorney General's Office released videos from inside the Marcy Correctional Facility that show an inmate being beaten by staff while restrained. He later died.
Robert Brooks, 43, of Greece, was sentenced to serve 12 years in prison for an assault in Monroe County. He was admitted to Marcy in 2017.
Attorney General Letitia James, whose office is investigating this incident, announced earlier this month that Brooks died on Dec. 10, 2024, at the hospital following "an encounter with New York State Department of Corrections and Community Supervision (DOCCS) officers at Marcy Correctional Facility."
Court papers obtained by News 8 detailed what was on the body and security cam footage as described by a Department of Corrections investigator.
Friday, the redacted footage was streamed live by Attorney General James, who indicated the images were from the body-worn cameras of four correction officers.
James added the four officers — Sgt. Glenn Trombly, Officer Michael Along, Officer Michael Fisher, and Officer Matthew Galliher — had their cameras on, but in "standby mode" and were not recording audio.
For the full videos, you can click here.
The incident has sparked universal outrage by parties who've seen the video, including Governor Kathy Hochul, the union that represents state corrections officers, and Brooks' family.
Monday, the family's attorney issued this statement after watching the video.
“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. We will not rest until we have secured justice for Robert’s memory, and safety for the prisoners at Marcy Correctional Facility.”
–Liz Mazur, Attorney, Hughes Sokol Piers Resnick & Dym, Ltd.
Last weekend, Governor Kathy Hochul announced that she's pushing for the terminations of 14 staff members who were allegedly involved in what she called an "attack" on Brooks.
NYSCOPBA, the union that represents state corrections officers, issued a statement Sunday condemning the actions of those involved, calling it "incomprehensible to say the least."
The New York State Sheriff's Association also released a statement, describing the incident depicted in the footage as "extreme cruelty" and that "no human being should be treated that way by another human being."
