New York prison workers indicted for murder
Six correctional officers from Marcy Correctional Facility have been indicted on second-degree murder charges following the beating death of Robert Brooks, a handcuffed inmate. The incident, which occurred in December 2024, was captured on body cameras, causing outrage and for the officers to be charged.
Brooks, 43, was subjected to a brutal beating by multiple prison guards, with video footage showing the officers pummeling him while his hands were bound behind his back. The officers were seen striking him in the chest and lifting him by the neck before dropping him. Despite the violence, the officers appeared indifferent as the beating took place. Brooks passed away from his injuries the following day.
The body-camera footage shows officers assaulting in a cold and calculated manner. An autopsy revealed that Brooks’ death was caused by neck compression and blunt impact injuries, with the county medical examiner’s office ruling the cause of death as homicide.
The six prison workers indicted for second-degree murder include Nicholas Anzalone, David Kingsley, Anthony Farina, Christopher Walrath, and Mathew Galliher. One additional person, whose name has been redacted, also faces charges. All six officers have been charged with first-degree manslaughter, indicating that prosecutors believe they are criminally responsible for the actions of their colleagues.
Mathew Galliher faces additional charges of gang assault, while other officers, including Michael Mashaw, Michael Fisher, and David Walters, were charged with lesser manslaughter offenses. A further charge of tampering with evidence has been levied against Nicolas Gentile, accused of cleaning the crime scene to conceal the bloodstains from the attack.
Governor Kathy Hochul addressed the charges in a public statement, expressing her disgust over the attack and her commitment to holding those responsible accountable.
“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,” said Hochul. “Now, the perpetrators have been rightfully charged with murder, and State Police are making arrests.”
Brooks had been serving a 12-year sentence for first-degree assault and had recently been transferred to Marcy Correctional Facility, where he died. His son, Robert Brooks Jr., filed a federal lawsuit in January, claiming his father was “systematically and casually beaten to death” and accusing the prison system of fostering a culture of violence.
The incident has sparked protests, with some corrections officers reportedly participating in a wildcat strike at 36 facilities across the state, voicing frustration over safety conditions.
The case has also raised concerns about ongoing abuse within the prison system. A report from the Correctional Association of New York highlighted “rampant abuse by staff” at Marcy Correctional Facility, with reports of physical assaults in areas without cameras, including vans, showers, and between gates.
