Guard found guilty in beating death of NY prisoner Robert Brooks, 2 others acquitted
A former New York state corrections officer was found guilty Monday of murdering prisoner Robert Brooks last year, but two other guards were acquitted of second-degree murder, manslaughter and assault charges, according to multiple upstate
Jurors in Oneida County took more than two full days to render their verdict after a weeklong trial. Prosecutors aired
Evidence at trial showed the officers did not realize their cameras were recording during the beating. The footage captured other prison staff, including two nurses, failing to intervene as the officers pummeled Brooks on a gurney.
Six of the
Kingsley was found guilty of second-degree murder and first-degree assault, according to
Video evidence showed Kingsley restraining Brooks’ head and neck and helping another officer put him into handcuffs. Kingsley’s attorney Luke Nebush argued the former officer’s actions were within his training.
Brooks’ death spurred new attention on conditions in state prisons and prompted lawmakers to pass an omnibus bill calling for more oversight. Corrections officers stage
Guards on strike said they were protesting violent conditions at state prisons.
The verdict comes as Gov. Kathy Hochul is
