Axon body cam footage of a correctional officer’s view during the alleged beating of Marcy Correctional Facility inmate Robert Brooks, 43, on Dec. 9, 2024, which led to his death on Dec. 10, 2024. In response to the death the Jamestown Justice Coalition, the Chautauqua Sheriff’s Office, The YWCA of Jamestown and Robert H. Jackson Center will be hosting a community forum entitled Community Conversation: Law Enforcement and Justice, Monday, Jan. 13, from 6-8 p.m., at the Robert H. Jackson Center, 305 E. Fourth St. Submitted photo

By Christopher Blakeslee

cblakeslee@post-journal.com

The Jamestown Justice Coalition is hosting a community conversation Monday following the early December death of a man at the Marcy Correctional Facility.

Robert Brooks, 43, was serving a 12-year prison sentence for first-degree assault since 2017, arrived at the prison only hours before the beating after being transferred from another nearby facility, officials said.

New York’s attorney general appointed a special prosecutor last week to investigate the death, saying her office cannot oversee the inquiry because it was already representing some of the corrections officials involved in civil lawsuits. William Fitzpatrick, Republican district attorney of Onondaga County, will lead the probe.

Officer worn body cam footage of the assault timestamped was officially released to the public on Dec. 27, 2024, and shows what appears to be correctional officers punching, kicking and stomping Brooks, while other jail staff stood by. Brooks was rushed to a hospital because of his injuries, and pronounced dead the next day. The medical examiner confirmed he died from neck compression. The final results of Brooks’ autopsy are not available. Preliminary findings from a medical examination indicate “concern for asphyxia due to compression of the neck as the cause of death, as well as the death being due to actions of another,” according to court filings.

After seeing the released video Chautauqua County Sheriff James Quattrone released a statement shared by the Jamestown Justice Coalition which read, in part, that he and members of the Sheriffs of New York state were shocked by the video footage.

“No human being should be treated that way by another human being,” Quattrone wrote. “This situation is made even worse by the fact that extreme cruelty was inflicted by those entrusted with the power of government, against those they were entrusted to guard and protect. “Sheriffs operate the local jails across the state. We know, on a different scale but similar mission, the difficulties the state faces in safely and humanely managing incarcerated individuals and correctional facilities under current circumstances. The job of a corrections officer is difficult, making those who join the field part of a distinct group of law enforcement professionals who are entrusted to uphold all state laws while facing understaffing and forced overtime hours. At the same time, many inmates are emboldened by recent state laws that ban virtually all inmate discipline, thus removing the most effective tools for managing prison and jail populations. Corrections officers are frustrated and exhausted.”

The beating has prompted widespread condemnation and calls for reform. Gov. Kathy Hochul, who said she was “outraged and horrified” by the videos, appointed a new superintendent for the prison. She also ordered state officials to initiate proceedings to fire 13 correctional officers and a nurse implicated in the attack.

In response to the incident, the Jamestown Justice Coalition will be hosting a community forum from 6 to 8 p.m. Monday at the Robert H. Jackson Center, 305 E. Fourth St. Other sponsors include the Chautauqua County Sheriff’s Office, the YWCA of Jamestown and the Robert H. Jackson Center.

“We are cohosting an event with the sheriff’s department in response to the horrible events at Marcy Correctional Facility that led to the murder of Robert Brooks. There will be an opportunity for community members to talk to different members of law enforcement as well as social justice leaders,” said Justin Hubbard of the Jamestown Justice Coalition. “Community relations and outreach are vital for the success of local law enforcement, and we are happy and excited that Sheriff Quattrone reached out to us to have this important dialogue.”

Quattrone said the actions of a few should not tarnish the hard work of the many honorable and hardworking officers who do meet the expectations of the community. He also said correctional staff must redouble their efforts in caring for inmates in their charge.

“Sheriffs of New York State are asking their jail administrators and Corrections Officers to redouble their efforts, to assure the inmates in their care that they are safe in our jails, and respected as fellow human beings,” he said. “We expect the next few days to be difficult ones for everyone involved in corrections — on both sides. We ask that reason and calm prevail with everyone so that further tragedies may be avoided.”