New York Gov. Kathy Hochul, a Democrat, has ordered the firing of greater than a dozen jail staffers in reference to the deadly beating of an inmate earlier this month.
Hochul mentioned in a press release Saturday that she has directed the state’s corrections division commissioner to start the method of terminating 14 employees concerned in a Dec. 9 incident on the Marcy Correctional Facility in Oneida County that led to 43-year-old Robert Brooks’ loss of life the next day at a hospital.
Brooks had been in jail since 2017 and was serving a 12-year sentence for first-degree assault.
The governor’s workplace mentioned the choice got here after an inner evaluation, however didn’t provide particulars on the circumstances main as much as Brooks’ loss of life.
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New York Gov. Kathy Hochul has ordered the firing of greater than a dozen jail staffers over a deadly beating of an inmate earlier this month. (Lev Radin/Pacific Press/LightRocket through Getty Photos)
“The overwhelming majority of correction officers do extraordinary work below troublesome circumstances, and we’re all grateful for his or her service,” Hochul mentioned. “However we’ve got no tolerance for people who cross the road, break the regulation and have interaction in pointless violence or focused abuse.”
The corrections division supplied a listing of 13 staff, together with corrections officers, sergeants and a nurse who’ve been suspended with out pay. It additionally included one other corrections officer who resigned.
State Division of Corrections Commissioner Daniel Martuscello III condemned the staffers’ involvement and mentioned the suspensions are “in the perfect curiosity of the company and the communities we serve.”
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The governor’s workplace mentioned the choice got here after an inner evaluation. (John Lamparski/Getty Photos)
“There is no such thing as a place for brutality in our division and we’ll vigorously pursue justice in opposition to the people who dedicated this mindless act,” he mentioned in a press release to The Related Press. “These investigations are ongoing and extra suspensions could also be issued.”
Brooks’ household mentioned in a press release from their lawyer that they’re “extremely shocked and saddened” concerning the loss of life, based on The Instances-Union in Albany.
“We’re grateful that Gov. Hochul is taking swift motion to carry officers accountable, however we can not perceive how this might have occurred within the first place,” the household mentioned. “Nobody ought to should lose a member of the family this fashion.”
Robert Brooks had been in jail since 2017, serving a 12-year sentence for first-degree assault. (iStock)
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State Legal professional Common Letitia James, a Democrat, mentioned her workplace can be investigating the usage of pressure by corrections officers that led to Brooks’ loss of life. She mentioned her workers has obtained video of the incident and it is going to be made public after Brooks’ household has seen it.
“Regulation enforcement professionals have to be held to the very best requirements of accountability, and I’m dedicated to offering New Yorkers with the transparency they deserve,” James mentioned in a press release.
The Related Press contributed to this report.
