NY Gov Hochul orders investigation into inmate's alleged death from officers beating him

New York Democratic Gov. Kathy Hochul on Friday ordered the state's Department of Corrections and Community Supervision to investigate the death of a handcuffed inmate at Marcy Correctional Facility, after he was allegedly beat to death by correctional officers.

The order came the same day New York Attorney General Letitia James released a video that appears to show officers beating inmate Robert Brooks on Dec. 9. Brooks was pronounced dead at a hospital the next morning, according to the Associated Press.

Hochul said she was "outraged and horrified" by the death and has ordered the department to conduct a "full and immediate investigation," into the incident and the termination of the 13 officers and one nurse allegedly involved. 

"I have been clear that it is the responsibility of the [DOCCS] to provide appropriate care and protection for those in its custody, and I will not tolerate anyone who violates that responsibility," she said. "The State of New York has zero tolerance for individuals who break the law, and I am committed to holding everyone involved fully accountable."

The governor also offered her sympathies to Brook's family. An attorney for the family said Brooks was "violently beaten by a group of officers whose job was to keep him safe."

"He deserved to live, and everyone else living in Marcy Correctional Facility deserves to know they do not have to live in fear of violence at the hands of prison staff," family attorney Elizabeth Mazur also said. 

James' office said it is investigating the use of force that led to Brooks' death, but has not announced any criminal charges against the officers involved so far. The final results of Brooks' autopsy is still pending.

Brooks was serving a 12-year sentence for first-degree assault, for which he was sentenced in 2017, and had only been at the facility for a few hours before the attack, according to AP. He was previously held at a different state prison. 

Misty Severi is a news reporter for Just The News. You can follow her on X for more coverage.