Key takeaways:

• The death of Robert Brooks, reported as a homicide following a brutal beating by corrections officers.
• Governor Kathy Hochul has called for immediate criminal charges against those involved.
• Body camera footage reveals disturbing details of the incident that took place in December at Marcy Correctional Facility.

The tragic case of Robert Brooks, an inmate who died following a violent encounter with corrections officers at a New York prison, has been officially ruled a homicide. An autopsy conducted by the Onondaga County Medical Examiner confirmed that Brooks, age 43, succumbed to "asphyxia due to compression of the neck" and multiple blunt force injuries sustained during the incident at the Marcy Correctional Facility on December 9, 2025, according to reports from The New York Times.

In a statement, Governor Kathy Hochul referred to Brooks's death as "horrific" and "shocking." She emphasized the urgent need for swift criminal charges against the officers involved, asserting that those responsible must be held accountable to the fullest extent of the law. "This reprehensible act of violence demands the full force of our justice system," Hochul remarked during a press briefing.

Body camera footage, which has been viewed by several news outlets including BBC, reveals disturbing violence, with officers kicking and punching Brooks while he was handcuffed and shackled. Eyewitness accounts and preliminary investigations suggest that Brooks was attacked after being moved to the medical facility, although the specific reasons for his transfer remain unclear.

The graphic nature of the recorded violence has fueled calls for justice from Brooks's family and supporters, leading to protests outside the District Attorney's office in Syracuse. His attorney, Elizabeth Mazur, has been vocal about seeking accountability, describing the footage as showing "the horrific and extreme nature of the deadly attack." She asserted that Brooks "deserved to live" and insisted that reforms are necessary to protect inmates from such violence in the future.

In response to the incident, the governor has ordered the termination of the involved officers and initiated a comprehensive investigation into the department’s practices. The state Attorney General's office has also launched a review, although conflicts of interest led to the appointment of Onondaga County District Attorney William Fitzpatrick to act as special prosecutor.

As of now, no criminal charges have been formally filed against any of the involved officers, as discussions around the handling of Brooks's death continue among law enforcement and civil rights advocates. This case underscores the urgent need for protective measures and systematic reforms within the correctional facilities across New York.

For further details, see the full articles from The New York Times, USA Today, and BBC.