from: USA Today
by: Emily Barnes
Body camera footage from what officials have called “an attack” that took place inside a New York state correctional facility resulting in the death of an inmate was released by the New York State Attorney General’s Office Friday.
According to New York State Attorney General Letitia James, Robert Brooks, who was serving a 12-year sentence at the Marcy Correctional Facility near Utica for stabbing his longtime girlfriend in 2016, died on Dec. 10 after an encounter with New York State Department of Corrections and Community Supervision officers at the facility on Dec. 9.
“As Attorney General, you have my word that we will use every possible tool available to us to investigate this death thoroughly and swiftly,” James said. “These videos are shocking and disturbing and I advise all to take appropriate care before choosing to watch them.
“I also want to make clear that this video and the conduct of these officers should not reflect poorly on the work and professionalism of the countless correctional officers and correctional facility nurses throughout the state who go to work every day to protect and serve those in their care.”
Here’s what to know.
Brooks was moved from Mohawk Correctional Facility in Rome, New York, to Marcy Correctional Facility near Utica, New York, on Dec. 9.
The four released videos came from body worn cameras of four correctional officers – Sergeant Glenn Trombly and correction officers Michael Along, Michael Fisher and Matthew Galliher. The cameras were turned on, however, since none of the officers activated their body worn cameras, the videos were recorded in standby mode with no audio.
Brooks’ hands were handcuffed behind his back as multiple officers repeatedly punched him, hit him with a shoe, lifted him up by his neck, pushed him up against a wall and stripped him of his clothing before medical professionals entered the medical examination room to assess him.
Brooks was transported to a local hospital on Dec. 9 after the use of force by correction officers, the AG’s Office said, and then pronounced dead at Wynn Hospital in Utica in the early morning hours of Dec. 10. An investigation was opened by the New York Attorney General’s Office of Special Investigation (OSI) on Dec. 16.
link to the videos: Investigation into the death of Robert Brooks | New York State Attorney General
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