About ten New York state correctional officers implicated within the demise of Robert Brooks, a Black inmate who was savagely overwhelmed in custody, have been charged with homicide after the incident. One officer, nonetheless, confronted the court docket to present his determination on whether or not he needed to struggle to show his innocence or not. The plea he entered was NOT what we anticipated.
Christopher Walrath entered a responsible plea Monday, buying and selling in his homicide cost for first-degree manslaughter. The costs got here following the discharge of horrifying surveillance footage exhibiting himself, together with a gang of his colleagues, detaining 43-year-old Robert Brooks. As The Root beforehand reported, Brooks was within the infirmary at Marcy Correctional Facility in Oneida County the place he was serving a sentence for assault. He had “mechanical restraints” behind his again as he was forcefully positioned onto the examination desk by correctional officers, the video reveals.
Earlier than even being examined, the footage of the incident confirmed Brooks being punched within the chest, pinned up towards the wall and restrained in practically inhumane positions. Ultimately, the officers pinned him down onto the desk, urgent their weight on his groin and chest. The scene was so horrid, the New York State Correctional Officers and Police Benevolent Affiliation condemned the video as “incomprehensible.”
Particular prosecutor William Fitzpatrick stated “a number of of his inner organs have been bruised” together with different vital accidents, per CNN.
“His hyoid bone was fractured. His thyroid cartilage was ripped. He additionally died on account of repeated restriction to his airways, inflicting extreme mind harm. And eventually, he died by choking on his personal blood,” stated Fitzpatrick.
Monday, Walrath confessed in court docket to utilizing a chokehold on Brooks, beating him and putting him within the groin, per CNN’s report. He additionally confessed to mendacity about his use of drive. His plea settlement swaps out his homicide cost for first-degree manslaughter. The cost that also places him vulnerable to spending 15 years in jail— longer than Brooks’ sentence.
Walrath is considered one of six officers who have been charged with homicide. One other three have been charged with manslaughter and one was charged with proof tampering.