Bodycam footage shows New York prison officers beating handcuffed inmate before his death
Robert Brooks was pronounced dead after the incident, which saw 13 officers and a nurse dismissed, as ITV News' Jay Akbar reports
Bodycam footage showing New York prison officers repeatedly punching and kicking a handcuffed inmate the day before his death has been released by the state's attorney general.
Robert Brooks, 43, was pronounced dead on December 10 after being transferred to Marcy Correctional Facility in upstate New York the day before.
His death is currently under investigation by New York Attorney General Letitia James, who called the footage "shocking" and "disturbing".
One nurse and thirteen officers involved have been sacked, according to the state's governor Kathy Hochul. She said she was "outraged and horrified" by what she called "senseless killing".
It shows Brooks being carried into a medical examination room by his arms and feet, with hands handcuffed behind his back.
Officers appear to then punch and kick him, with one seemingly force something into Brooks' mouth while another holds him by the throat.
Different parts show officers appearing to punch and hit Brooks in the face, groin, chest and bottom. At one point, Brooks appears to be laid flat on an examination table, and is struck in the chest by an officer as another places a foot on his lower torso.
Brooks then appears to be grabbed by the collar of his shirt and shoulder area and picked up off of the table, before being held up against a wall.
The video then shows Brooks no longer handcuffed, lying on the table, motionless in his underwear.
Preliminary findings from a medical examination indicate “concern for asphyxia due to compression of the neck as the cause of death, as well as the death being due to actions of another," according to court filings.
Upon releasing the footage, James said: “As attorney general, you have my word that we will use every possible tool available to us to investigate this death thoroughly and swiftly."
She said four of the officers involved were wearing body cameras but did not activate them, so the cameras did not record audio of the incident. It is unclear why he was taken into the medical examination room.
Brooks was serving a 12-year prison sentence for first-degree assault.
New York Governor Kathy Hochul said: “The vast majority of correction officers do extraordinary work under difficult circumstances, and we are all grateful for their service.
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“But we have no tolerance for individuals who cross the line, break the law and engage in unnecessary violence or targeted abuse.”
Brooks' family has reviewed the body camera footage of the beating, Elizabeth Mazur, an attorney for the family, said in a statement to ITV News' partner organisation CNN.
The statement said: “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.”
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