Six Correction Officers Charged with Murder for Beating Inmate at Marcy Correctional Facility

Officers Charged with Murder

• Correction Officer Nicholas Anzalone, age 44
• Correction Officer David Kingsley
• Correction Officer Anthony Farina, age 49
• Correction Officer Christopher Walrath
• Correction Officer Matthew Galliher, age 43
• Unnamed person

Anzalone, Kingsley, Farina, Walrath, Galliher, and the unnamed defendant are also charged with manslaughter.

Galliher and the unnamed defendant are also charged with gang assault.

Anzalone and the unnamed defendant are also charged with offering a false instrument.

Charges against others

• Sgt. Michael Mashaw: manslaughter
• Correction Officer Michael Fisher: manslaughter
• Correction Officer David Walters: manslaughter
• Nicolas Gentile: tampering with evidence

The Incident

The beating was unknowingly recorded on officers’ uniform-worn cameras, which showed at least five of the men choking, kicking, and punching the handcuffed inmate.

At least five officers used physical force on him, the video shows.

In a civil lawsuit filed by Brooks’ family, at least six people have been accused of violence against him. At least another nine people are accused of watching and not intervening, including non-officer medical staff.

It’s not yet known how many of the officers will be charged or what the charges against them will be.

17 prison workers have been suspended pending firing and one resigned.

An autopsy ruled Brooks’ death a homicide due to “compression of the neck and multiple blunt impact injuries.”

Special Prosecutor Onondaga Co. DA Bill Fitzpatrick

Due to a possible conflict of interest, the New York State Attorney General’s Office appointed Onondaga County District Attorney Bill Fitzpatrick as a special prosecutor of the case.

Statement from the Family of Robert Brooks

Robert Brooks, Jr., the son of Mr. Brooks, issued the following statement:

“In December, my family and I watched my father brutally beaten to death by New York Correctional Officers. Earlier this month, we received the medical examiner’s painful but unsurprising conclusion that my father’s death was considered a homicide. And today, I saw New York Correctional Officers finally face criminal charges for killing my father. Nothing can bring him back to us. Nothing can return to us what these men have taken away. Still, these indictments are a necessary and important step toward accountability. These men killed my father, on camera. All the world could see what happened. Waiting for these charges has been incredibly hard. These men must be fully prosecuted and convicted for what they have done. But even the convictions of these corrections officers for the murder of my father will not be enough. Every person in authority who allowed this system of violence and abuse to exist and continue for so long must also be held accountable. We pledge not to rest until we see meaningful change in how our state prisons are operated–so that no one else has to go through what my family and I have gone through.”

“These indictments bring some measure of relief to my family as we grieve my loss. No one is above the law,” said Jared Ricks, brother of Mr. Brooks.

“Today’s charges send an important message to correctional officers everywhere. Wearing a badge does not give anyone license to act with impunity,” said Elizabeth Mazur, attorney for Robert Brooks, Jr.

“We believe murder indictments are an appropriate and necessary step toward holding the individuals responsible for the murder of Mr. Brooks accountable,” said Steve Schwarz, attorney for Robert Brooks, Jr.

Statement from Governor Kathy Hochul

“Robert Brooks should be alive today. The brutal attack on Mr. Brooks was sickening, and I immediately moved to terminate the employment of those involved. Now, the perpetrators have been rightfully charged with murder and State Police are making arrests.

“This incident is a sobering reminder of the challenges facing our correctional system. I’ve worked with Commissioner Martuscello on safety reforms, including installing new security cameras, strengthening the Office of Special Investigations and increasing compensation for our hard-working correction officers.

“Public safety is my top priority. I will continue doing everything in my power to keep our correctional facilities safe for all.”

The Unsealed Indictment

FAQs

* What happened to Robert Brooks?
He was brutally beaten to death by New York Correctional Officers at the Marcy Correctional Facility.
* Who was charged with murder?
Six correction officers: Nicholas Anzalone, David Kingsley, Anthony Farina, Christopher Walrath, Matthew Galliher, and an unnamed person.
* What were the other charges?
Manslaughter, gang assault, and offering a false instrument.