By Megan Sayles
AFRO Business Writer
msayles@afro.com
Video evidence of the brutal beating of Robert L. Brooks has sparked outrage and calls for accountability.
Credit: Photo courtesy of Meta (Facebook) / Robert Lee JR Brooks
On Dec. 27 New York Attorney General Letitia James released body camera footage recorded during the grisly beating of Brooks, an inmate who was housed at the Marcy Correctional Facility in Marcy, N.Y. before his death.
The footage shows officers punching and kicking Robert L. Brooks on Dec. 9 in a medical examination room at the prison just hours before he was pronounced dead.
During the encounter, the 43-year-old’s hands are seen handcuffed behind his back the entire time. As he takes blow after blow, blood runs from injuries to his face. Brooks can be seen taking forceful punches, provoked by nothing more than him sitting on the edge of a medical gurney, trying to catch his breath and calmly speaking. He was later taken to a local hospital, where he was pronounced dead in the early morning hours of Dec. 10.
“Law enforcement professionals must be held to the highest standards of accountability, and I am committed to providing New Yorkers with the transparency they deserve,” said James in a statement on Dec. 21. “On behalf of the Office of the Attorney General, I offer my sincere condolences to Mr. Brooks’ family and loved ones.”
The body camera footage comes from four officers, Sergeant Glenn Trombly, Correction Officer Michael Along, Correction Officer Michael Fisher and Correction Officer Matthew Galliher, who were involved in the incident. The videos were released in line with James’ directive that footage obtained by her office during special investigations be released to the public to increase transparency and trust. Though the attack was recorded, audio is not available, as the officers failed to activate their cameras during the assault. As a result, evidence of the beating is only available because the officer’s devices were recording in “standby mode.”
Brooks’ son, Robert Lee Brooks Jr., took to social media to denounce the killing of his father.
“Nobody deserves to get killed, especially by correctional officers…they are supposed to protect,” wrote Brooks Jr. in a Facebook post on Dec. 17. “They are trying to hide and clean up evidence. They didn’t think my dad was loved by many. We are not going to let you all rock. We are coming for justice.”
According to the Office of the New York State Attorney General, Brooks was being transferred from Mohawk Correctional Facility to Marcy Correctional Facility on the day of the beating. He was serving a 12-year sentence for first-degree assault, which started in 2017.
New York Governor Kathy Hochul released a statement expressing her indignation for the fatal attack.
“Like all New Yorkers, I was outraged and horrified after seeing footage of the senseless killing of Robert Brooks,” said Hochul in a Dec. 27 statement. “I have been clear that it is the responsibility of the New York State Department of Corrections and Community Supervision (DOCCS) to provide appropriate care and protection for those in its custody, and I will not tolerate anyone who violates that responsibility.”
Following Brooks’ death, Hochul said she ordered an immediate and full investigation. She then instructed DOCCS Commissioner Daniel F. Martuscello III to fire the 14 corrections officers who were involved in the incident.
“The state of New York has zero tolerance for individuals who break the law, and I am committed to holding everyone involved fully accountable. Once again, I want to offer my deepest condolences to Mr. Brooks’ family and loved ones as they grieve his tragic death,” Hochul continued. “I am grateful to the attorney general and her team, our state police and everyone working with us to ensure justice is served in this case.”
Rev. Al Sharpton, founder and president of the National Action Network, also issued a statement on the videos of Brooks’ beating, likening it to other African Americans who have died at the hands of officers.
“The footage of Robert Brooks’ death is as horrifying as what we saw when George Floyd, Tyre Nichols and countless other Black men and women have been killed by law enforcement. These officers clearly thought they were within their right to hit Brooks in the stomach with the heel of a boot, level punches at his face or torso and throw him around like a ragdoll—all with his hands behind his back,” said Sharpton, in a Dec. 27 press release. “They were wrong. It is disturbing that some of them had the sense to smile and smirk while a human being was forced against a wall by three officers just a few feet away. Their actions in this tape not only justify their firing but should merit appropriate criminal charges.”
Sharpton also praised Hochul’s and James’ “swift” action in addressing the incident.
“This is a signal to the rest of the nation that leaders have a sworn duty to respond to unspeakable acts such as these for the sake of those murdered and their families,” said Sharpton. “My hope is that the criminal justice system will see this case through and ensure justice for Robert Brooks and his loved ones.”
Warning: The videos available at the link below contain content that viewers may find disturbing.
https://ag.ny.gov/osi/footage/robert-brooks
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