4 guards sentenced in brutal beating death of an incarcerated Black man at New York prison
Four prison guards were sentenced for their roles in the brutal beating death of Robert Brooks, an incarcerated Black man, at Marcy Correctional Facility in New York. The incident, recorded on bodycam footage, occurred while Brooks was handcuffed in December 2022, sparking public outrage and demanding reforms in the prison system. Two guards received 22-year sentences for first-degree manslaughter, while two others, charged with second-degree manslaughter, received lighter sentences. The case highlights ongoing issues of violence against incarcerated individuals, and as trials for other guards continue, there are calls for broader accountability and systemic change within the correctional system.
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Robert Brooks, 43, was serving a 12-year sentence for first-degree assault when he was attacked by the guards on December 9, 2022, shortly after being transferred to Marcy Correctional Facility.
Nicholas Anzalone and Anthony Farina, both sentenced to 22 years, initially faced murder charges which were reduced to first-degree manslaughter as part of their guilty pleas.
Michael Mashaw and David Walters received lesser sentences of three to nine years and two years, four months to seven years, respectively, after pleading guilty to second-degree manslaughter.
During the sentencing hearing, Brooks' family expressed their grief; his brother emphasized the inhumanity shown towards Brooks, while his son described watching the beating as akin to a horror movie.
The case is part of a broader investigation into violence at Marcy, with ongoing trials for other guards involved in separate incidents, including the death of Messiah Nantwi in March 2023.