The Onondaga County Medical Examiner has determined that the death of an inmate at Marcy Correctional Facility one day after being severely beaten by corrections officers was a homicide.
According to the autopsy report, Robert Brooks succumbed to compression of the neck and multiple blunt-force injuries. Body-worn camera footage captured corrections officers striking Brooks in the head, chest, and genital area inside a medical exam room at the Oneida County prison on December 9. He was later transported to the hospital, where he died.
The law firm Faraci Lange, representing the Brooks family, issued a statement in response to the autopsy findings:
“The autopsy report confirms what was already evident: Robert Brooks’ violent death was a homicide. We look forward to the prosecution of those responsible. In the meantime, we continue to fight for justice for Mr. Brooks and his family.”
As of now, no criminal charges have been filed in connection with Brooks’ death. The Onondaga County District Attorney is serving as the special prosecutor in the case.
Since the incident, 17 employees at Marcy Correctional Facility—including two nurses—have either been suspended without pay or have resigned.
Governor Kathy Hochul released a statement on Wednesday afternoon:
“The murder of Robert Brooks was horrific, shocking all New Yorkers to our very core. Now that the Onondaga County Medical Examiner has ruled Mr. Brooks’ death was a homicide, I believe the legal process must quickly move forward with criminal charges being filed and arrests being made. Those responsible for Mr. Brooks’ death must be held accountable to the fullest extent of the law, and I recognize the need to build an airtight prosecution to ensure those individuals are brought to justice. This reprehensible act of violence demands the full force of our justice system — the family of Mr. Brooks deserves no further delays.”
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