By Megan SaylesAFRO Enterprise Writermsayles@afro.com
Video proof of the brutal beating of Robert L. Brooks has sparked outrage and requires accountability.
On Dec. 27 New York Legal professional Basic Letitia James launched physique digicam footage recorded throughout the grisly beating of Brooks, an inmate who was housed on the Marcy Correctional Facility in Marcy, N.Y. earlier than his loss of life.
The footage reveals officers punching and kicking Robert L. Brooks on Dec. 9 in a medical examination room on the jail simply hours earlier than he was pronounced lifeless.
Through the encounter, the 43-year-old’s fingers are seen handcuffed behind his again all the time. As he takes blow after blow, blood runs from accidents to his face. Brooks might be seen taking forceful punches, provoked by nothing greater than him sitting on the sting of a medical gurney, attempting to catch his breath and calmly talking. He was later taken to an area hospital, the place he was pronounced lifeless within the early morning hours of Dec. 10.
“Legislation enforcement professionals should be held to the very best requirements of accountability, and I’m dedicated to offering New Yorkers with the transparency they deserve,” mentioned James in a press release on Dec. 21. “On behalf of the Workplace of the Legal professional Basic, I provide my honest condolences to Mr. Brooks’ household and family members.”
The physique digicam footage comes from 4 officers, Sergeant Glenn Trombly, Correction Officer Michael Alongside, Correction Officer Michael Fisher and Correction Officer Matthew Galliher, who have been concerned within the incident. The movies have been launched in keeping with James’ directive that footage obtained by her workplace throughout particular investigations be launched to the general public to extend transparency and belief. Although the assault was recorded, audio isn’t obtainable, because the officers did not activate their cameras throughout the assault. Because of this, proof of the beating is barely obtainable as a result of the officer’s gadgets have been recording in “standby mode.”
Brooks’ son, Robert Lee Brooks Jr., took to social media to denounce the killing of his father.
“No person deserves to get killed, particularly by correctional officers…they’re supposed to guard,” wrote Brooks Jr. in a Fb put up on Dec. 17. “They’re attempting to cover and clear up proof. They didn’t suppose my dad was cherished by many. We aren’t going to allow you to all rock. We’re coming for justice.”
In keeping with the Workplace of the New York State Legal professional Basic, 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 began in 2017.
New York Governor Kathy Hochul launched a press release expressing her indignation for the deadly assault.
“Like all New Yorkers, I used to be outraged and horrified after seeing footage of the mindless killing of Robert Brooks,” mentioned Hochul in a Dec. 27 assertion. “I’ve been clear that it’s the accountability of the New York State Division of Corrections and Group Supervision (DOCCS) to offer acceptable care and safety for these in its custody, and I cannot tolerate anybody who violates that accountability.”
Following Brooks’ loss of life, Hochul mentioned she ordered an instantaneous and full investigation. She then instructed DOCCS Commissioner Daniel F. Martuscello III to fireside the 14 corrections officers who have been concerned within the incident.
“The state of New York has zero tolerance for people who break the regulation, and I’m dedicated to holding everybody concerned absolutely accountable. As soon as once more, I wish to provide my deepest condolences to Mr. Brooks’ household and family members as they grieve his tragic loss of life,” Hochul continued. “I’m grateful to the legal professional common and her crew, our state police and everybody working with us to make sure justice is served on this case.”
Rev. Al Sharpton, founder and president of the Nationwide Motion Community, additionally issued a press release on the movies of Brooks’ beating, likening it to different African People who’ve died by the hands of officers.
“The footage of Robert Brooks’ loss of life is as horrifying as what we noticed when George Floyd, Tyre Nichols and numerous different Black women and men have been killed by regulation enforcement. These officers clearly thought they have been inside their proper to hit Brooks within the abdomen with the heel of a boot, stage punches at his face or torso and throw him round like a ragdoll—all along with his fingers behind his again,” mentioned Sharpton, in a Dec. 27 press launch. “They have been improper. It’s disturbing that a few of them had the sense to smile and smirk whereas a human being was compelled towards a wall by three officers only a few ft away. Their actions on this tape not solely justify their firing however ought to benefit acceptable felony prices.”
Sharpton additionally praised Hochul’s and James’ “swift” motion in addressing the incident.
“It is a sign to the remainder of the nation that leaders have a sworn obligation to reply to unspeakable acts similar to these for the sake of these murdered and their households,” mentioned Sharpton. “My hope is that the felony justice system will see this case via and guarantee justice for Robert Brooks and his family members.”
Warning: The movies obtainable on the hyperlink under include content material that viewers could discover disturbing.
https://ag.ny.gov/osi/footage/robert-brooks
