Law enforcement officials in the state of New York have made public “devastating” footage depicting prison guards assaulting a black inmate shortly before his death.
The body-worn camera video, recorded on the night of December 9, shows Robert Brooks, 43, being attacked by several prison guards, with his face bloodied and his neck being restrained.
Brooks, who was incarcerated at a northern New York prison serving a 12-year sentence for assault, was declared dead later that evening.
New York Attorney General Letitia James stated that the video was released to ensure “transparency and accountability.”
“We will not rest until justice is achieved in memory of Robert,” the statement continued.
The footage captures Brooks confined on what seems to be a hospital bed, with multiple guards pinning him down and assaulting him.
He is later observed sitting up before being dragged off the bed by his collar.
A preliminary autopsy reported by local media indicates the cause of death was “asphyxia due to compression of the neck,” although complete autopsy results are still forthcoming.
The video lacks audio, which James explained was due to the guards “not activating” their body-worn cameras, even though they were turned on, resulting in the silent recording.
New York Governor Kathy Hochul condemned the incident in a statement.
“We have zero tolerance for individuals who cross the line, break the law, and engage in unnecessary violence or targeted abuse,” she remarked.
Evidence of police brutality has become a powerful political catalyst in the United States.
Footage of the 2020 death of George Floyd, resulting from a police officer’s knee, ignited widespread outrage and spurred racial justice protests throughout the nation.
