New York Prison Guards Face Murder Charges Over Inmate Death \ Newslooks \ Washington DC \ Mary Sidiqi \ Evening Edition \ Six New York prison guards have been indicted for second-degree murder in the beating death of inmate Robert Brooks, who was handcuffed during the attack. Four additional corrections employees face lesser charges, including manslaughter and evidence tampering. The December assault at Marcy Correctional Facility was captured on body cameras, fueling widespread outrage and an ongoing corrections officers’ strike across the state.
NY Prison Guards Indicted for Murder: Quick Looks
- Murder Charges Filed: Six officers charged with second-degree murder and first-degree manslaughter.
- Caught on Camera: Body-worn cameras unintentionally recorded the brutal beating.
- Additional Charges: One guard facing gang assault charges, while others charged with manslaughter.
- Tampering Allegations: A corrections worker accused of cleaning blood stains to conceal the crime.
- Governor’s Response: Gov. Kathy Hochul condemned the attack and fired those involved.
- Statewide Prison Strike: Officers at 36 facilities refusing to work following indictments.
- History of Abuse: Watchdog reports detail previous beatings and mistreatment at Marcy Correctional Facility.
Deep Look
Prison Guards Indicted for Murder in Beating of Handcuffed Inmate
In a shocking case of prison brutality, six New York state correctional officers have been indicted for second-degree murder in the death of Robert Brooks, an inmate at Marcy Correctional Facility. The December 9 beating, which resulted in Brooks’ death the following day, was captured on body-worn cameras, revealing disturbing footage of officers repeatedly assaulting Brooks while he was handcuffed.
The footage, described as “horrific” by legal experts, shows:
- Officers striking Brooks in the chest with a shoe.
- Lifting him by the neck and dropping him to the ground.
- Guards standing by as the attack unfolded, appearing unconcerned.
Despite the lack of audio, the video evidence played a crucial role in the indictment.
“These men killed my father. It was on video. The whole world got to see it,” said Robert Brooks Jr., the victim’s son. “Waiting a month for these charges has been incredibly hard, but these men must be prosecuted and convicted.”
Who Was Charged?
The six officers facing second-degree murder charges are:
- Nicholas Anzalone
- David Kingsley
- Anthony Farina
- Christopher Walrath
- Mathew Galliher
- (One name redacted, pending court appearance)
Each of them also faces first-degree manslaughter charges, meaning prosecutors believe they are criminally liable for the actions of others.
Additional Charges:
- Michael Mashaw, Michael Fisher, and David Walters: Charged with lesser manslaughter offenses, accused of contributing to Brooks’ death.
- Nicolas Gentile: Charged with evidence tampering for cleaning blood stains to conceal the attack.
- Mathew Galliher: Further charged with gang assault, indicating group participation in the fatal beating.
Governor Hochul Condemns Attack, Orders Firings
Governor Kathy Hochul announced the charges Thursday, declaring:
“Robert Brooks should be alive today. This brutal attack was sickening, and I immediately moved to terminate the employment of those involved. Now, the perpetrators have been rightfully charged with murder.”
Hochul also directed state officials to fire over a dozen employees implicated in the assault.
Brutal Beating Caught on Camera
The body-camera footage, released as part of the investigation, captured the full extent of the attack. Brooks, who arrived at Marcy Correctional Facility just hours before the assault, was seen:
- Handcuffed and defenseless as multiple officers attacked him.
- Repeatedly struck in the chest and dropped by his neck.
- Lying motionless while guards continued their actions with apparent indifference.
Brooks died the next day, and an autopsy later ruled his death a homicide, citing:
- Compression of the neck.
- Multiple blunt force injuries.
The shocking footage fueled national outrage, prompting demands for reform in New York’s correctional system.
“For far too long, abuse like this went unchecked,” said Jennifer Scaife, executive director of the Correctional Association of New York. “It’s fortunate that video evidence exists this time, but too often, justice has been out of reach.”
Prison Officers’ Strike in Protest of Indictments
Following the indictments, corrections officers across New York launched a wildcat strike, with staff at 36 state prisons refusing to report for duty.
Prison officials confirmed widespread absences but did not specify how many officers participated.
The strike has added tensions to an already volatile prison system, with Hochul acknowledging challenges in correctional staffing and oversight.
“This incident is a sobering reminder of the challenges facing our correctional system,” Hochul said. “We need to ensure that accountability exists at all levels.”
A Prison With a History of Abuse
Marcy Correctional Facility has long faced allegations of brutality.
A 2022 watchdog report documented widespread abuse by staff, including:
- Beatings in locations without cameras, such as between gates, in transport vans, and in showers.
- Threats from guards to incoming inmates, warning:“This is a ‘hands-on facility.’ If we don’t like what you’re doing, we’re going to put hands on you.”
Many of the officers charged in Brooks’ death had previously been accused of excessive force in civil lawsuits.
The case was initially handled by New York Attorney General Letitia James, but she recused herself due to her office’s prior legal defense of some implicated officers. Onondaga County DA William Fitzpatrick was appointed special prosecutor to oversee the case.
“We will prove that these guards believed their cameras were off, thinking they could beat an inmate with impunity,” Fitzpatrick stated. “This culture of violence must end.”
What Happens Next?
The case is expected to proceed to trial, with:
- A judge reviewing evidence and bond conditions for the accused officers.
- Governor Hochul continuing efforts to remove implicated employees.
- The prison officers’ strike potentially escalating tensions further.
Meanwhile, Brooks’ family has filed a federal lawsuit claiming:
“My father’s attackers systematically and casually beat him to death. This was not an isolated incident—it was a tolerated practice.”
With the murder trial approaching, advocates hope this case sets a precedent for accountability in New York’s troubled prison system.
