Sealed Indictment of Correction Officers in Robert Brooks’ Death Held in Utica Court
The highly anticipated trial of 16 correctional officers charged in connection with the death of Robert L. Brooks is set for Thursday, February 20, at 2 p.m. at the Oneida County Court, located at 200 Elizabeth Street in Utica, NY.
The case follows a sealed indictment issued by a grand jury, which will be unsealed on February 18. Brooks, 43, died on December 10, 2024, at Marcy Correctional Facility after an alleged beating by officers while handcuffed in the infirmary. The Onondaga County District Attorney’s Office, with support from federal agencies, will oversee the prosecution.
Governor Kathy Hochul has already terminated several staff involved in the incident, emphasizing a zero-tolerance policy for abuse in state correctional facilities. The trial is expected to highlight key evidence, including body camera footage, and address calls for systemic reforms.
