Who was Robert Brooks? Handcuffed New York inmate brutally beaten to death by correctional officers; Shocking video of final moments released

According to James, the body cameras were activated, but the guards did not turn on the audio, leaving the recording eerily soundless during the violent confrontation.

In a release that has sent shockwaves through the public, law enforcement in New York has unveiled devastating body-worn camera footage from the night of December 9, capturing the final moments of 43-year-old Robert Brooks’ life. Brooks, a Black inmate serving a 12-year sentence for assault at a northern New York prison, was brutally beaten by multiple prison guards.
The chilling video showed one of the officers use a shoe to strike Brooks in the stomach, another yanks him up by his neck and drops him back on the table. The officers then remove the man’s shirt and pants as he lies motionless and bloodied on the table.
Tragically, Brooks was pronounced dead later that night.
Watch the full footage here-

The footage, though harrowing, was released by New York Attorney General Letitia James to ensure “transparency and accountability” in the aftermath of Brooks’ death. The video, however, was shockingly silent. According to James, the body cameras were activated, but the guards did not turn on the audio, leaving the recording eerily soundless during the violent confrontation.
In the grainy, silent footage, Brooks can be seen lying on a hospital bed, pinned down by several guards. At one point, he is dragged off the bed by his collar, his body limp and bloodied. A preliminary autopsy report confirmed the cause of death as “asphyxia due to compression of the neck,” although full results are still pending.
‘Haunting moment of Brooks being dragged from the bed’
Brooks was serving a 12-year sentence for first-degree assault, according to the Associated Press. He had been transferred to Marcy from the nearby Mohawk Correctional Facility on the same day as the incident.
Brooks’ family, understandably shaken, has expressed outrage and sorrow over the release of the footage. In a statement, they called the video “devastating” and said watching the “horrific and violent final moments” of Robert’s life was a painful experience for them. They vowed to seek justice, saying, “We will not rest until we have secured justice for Robert’s memory.”
New York Governor Kathy Hochul condemned the incident, declaring in a statement, “We have no tolerance for individuals who cross the line, break the law, and engage in unnecessary violence or targeted abuse.” She emphasized that such actions would not be tolerated in New York.
Governor Hochul’s response to the incident
The release of this footage comes as the nation continues to grapple with issues of police and prison brutality, particularly toward Black individuals. The tragic events surrounding George Floyd’s death in 2020 sparked national protests demanding racial justice and accountability, and this latest incident is likely to fuel further calls for change.
The video has already become a rallying point for those demanding reforms within the U.S. prison system, and the investigation into Brooks’ death is expected to be a focal point for ongoing debates about systemic violence and racial injustice.