State Attorney General Recuses Office From Robert Brooks Case

Amidst scrutiny, Attorney General Letitia James steps back from the Robert Brooks case, setting the stage for the investigation.

At a Glance

AG Letitia James has recused her office from Robert L. Brooks death investigation.
The conflict arises due to previous defense of implicated officers by the AG’s Office.
William J. Fitzpatrick has been appointed as special prosecutor.
13 officers were suspended following an incident at Marcy Correctional Facility.

Attorney General’s Challenging Decision

New York Attorney General Letitia James announced her office’s recusal from the investigation into the fatal beating of inmate Robert L. Brooks at Marcy Correctional Facility. The decision was made in light of a conflict of interest, given that the AG’s Office was concurrently defending four officers implicated in the incident in other ongoing cases.

The need for recusal stemmed from the office’s role in defending these correctional officers in separate legal matters, creating a potential challenge in prosecuting the case straightforwardly. James stated, “I will not allow justice to be delayed or denied because of a conflict.”

Special Prosecutor Takes Charge

This recusal led to the appointment of Onondaga County District Attorney William J. Fitzpatrick as the special prosecutor. Fitzpatrick and his office bring expertise and resources crucial to handling this investigation independently. Meanwhile, the New York Department of Corrections has taken immediate action by placing 13 officers on unpaid suspension, while one officer has resigned.

Governor Kathy Hochul has appointed Bennie Thorpe as the new superintendent of Marcy Correctional Facility, bringing in a “fresh perspective.”

Uncovering Evidence

Body camera footage released shows law enforcement officers engaging in the beating of Brooks while handcuffed. These recordings lacked audio, leaving some questions regarding officers’ awareness of being recorded. Preliminary findings suggest the cause of Brooks’ death was asphyxia due to neck compression, with further investigations initiated by multiple agencies, including the FBI, New York’s Commission of Correction, and the State Police.

Governor Hochul is also progressing with the termination process for the involved officers and a prison nurse linked to the incident. Some officers had previous allegations of abuse, further spotlighting issues within the system. The upcoming phases of this investigation will be critical as the nation watches closely to witness justice unfolding.