The Case of Robert L. Brooks
As a seasoned criminal defense attorney in Queens, NY, I’ve seen my share of injustices. But cases like Robert Brooks—an inmate who died after a brutal beating at the hands of correctional officers—force us to confront uncomfortable truths about the system we claim to trust.
Who Is Robert Brooks?
Let me be clear: Brooks was no saint. He was originally indicted on a two-count felony indictment, including attempted second-degree murder and first-degree assault, for brutally stabbing his baby-mama, Diana Rivera, back in 2016 in broad daylight.
He chose to plead guilty to first-degree assault to avoid a 20-year prison sentence. So, I’m curious: when his son says Brooks was a ‘loving father,’ was he looking into his mother’s eyes as he said that? Was he looking at her stab wounds as he said that? Or when Robert Brooks’ family (through their lawyer) says, “members of the public can now view for themselves the horrific and extreme nature of the deadly attack on Robert L. Brooks,” I ask: where is the video where “members of the public can now view for themselves the horrific and extreme nature of the NEARLY deadly attack on Diana Rivera back in 2016 at the hands of Robert L. Brooks”? Did his family look at the pool of blood on the grass or the more than 40 blood splatters the police marked off? Robert L. Brooks was serving time for a violent crime, and his actions outside the prison walls left scars that can’t be erased.
However, I also say that no one—not even the worst among us—deserves to be beaten to death by the people entrusted to uphold the law.
This case isn’t just about Brooks; it’s a symptom of something far deeper and far more troubling: a correctional system that tolerates unchecked abuse and often allows brutality to replace accountability.
What Happened to Robert Brooks?
On December 9, 2024, Robert Brooks, an inmate at Marcy Correctional Facility, was reportedly involved in a verbal altercation with correctional officers while being escorted to the infirmary. By the time the confrontation ended, Brooks, who was handcuffed and restrained, had been repeatedly punched, kicked, and choked. Surveillance footage captures a horrifying scene: multiple officers attacking a defenseless man. The next day, Brooks succumbed to his injuries. An autopsy confirmed his death was caused by asphyxia due to neck compression.
Yes, Brooks made choices that landed him in prison. He stabbed a woman, leaving her with physical and emotional scars. But the correctional officers involved—sworn to uphold the law—chose to abandon their duty and take matters into their own hands. That’s the reality here: a complete failure of the very system meant to provide accountability and order.
Excessive Force: A Systemic Issue
This isn’t an isolated case. Violence in correctional facilities has long been a systemic issue, shielded by a culture of silence and an “us versus them” mentality. The Eighth Amendment of the U.S. Constitution prohibits cruel and unusual punishment, yet incidents like this reveal how often those protections are ignored behind prison walls. When officers—those charged with enforcing the law—become the perpetrators of violence, the integrity of the entire justice system collapses.
My Perspective as a Criminal Defense Attorney
I’ve defended individuals whose lives have been shaped by systemic failures: people who were born into poverty, denied opportunities, and funneled into a justice system that seems designed to keep them down. But I’ve also represented victims of injustice within that system, including inmates who were brutalized by the very institutions tasked with their rehabilitation.
Let’s not sugarcoat this: What happened to Brooks was wrong. It’s not about his past actions—it’s about holding everyone accountable, including those in positions of power. When correctional officers step outside the bounds of their authority and act like executioners, they undermine the entire system.
The Role of Surveillance Footage
Without the surveillance footage, this incident could have been swept under the rug, dismissed as “an altercation” or “a routine disciplinary matter.” Cameras don’t lie, and in this case, they reveal an unflinching truth: Robert Brooks was beaten to death while restrained. This footage is a critical piece of evidence, not just for his family’s pursuit of justice but as a wake-up call for the public.
Technology like body cameras and surveillance systems is not just about recording misconduct; it’s about preventing it. Officers who know they are being watched are less likely to abuse their authority. Transparency is a deterrent, and we need more of it in correctional facilities nationwide.
Reforms That Must Happen Now
The death of Robert Brooks is a tragedy, but it’s also an opportunity—a chance to demand meaningful reform in a broken system. Here’s what needs to happen:
- Mandatory Body Cameras for Correctional Officers Body cameras should be required for all officers, with strict protocols for usage and penalties for tampering or disabling them. This technology can protect both inmates and officers by ensuring accountability.
- Independent Oversight Committees Correctional facilities need independent, third-party oversight to investigate allegations of abuse. These committees must have the authority to recommend policy changes and hold individuals accountable.
- Comprehensive Training Programs Officers need better training in de-escalation techniques, mental health awareness, and cultural sensitivity. Violence should never be the first response to a difficult situation.
- Mental Health Resources Prisons are pressure cookers for both inmates and staff. Providing access to robust mental health services can reduce violence and improve conditions across the board.
Why This Matters
Some might say, “Why care about a criminal? He made his choices.” I’ll tell you why: Because justice isn’t about who deserves what. It’s about creating a system that is fair, accountable, and humane. If we allow officers to beat one man to death today, who’s to say it won’t be someone else tomorrow—someone who might be innocent or wrongly accused?
The fight for justice isn’t about defending criminals. It’s about defending the integrity of the system. Robert Brooks didn’t deserve a free pass for his crimes, but he also didn’t deserve to die like that. And the officers involved deserve to face the full weight of the law for their actions.
Final Thoughts
I won’t sugarcoat it: Our correctional system is broken. It’s a system that punishes not just crimes but humanity itself. Cases like Robert Brooks’s aren’t rare—they’re just the ones we hear about. If we want change, we need to demand it, and we need to hold everyone accountable, from inmates to officers to the institutions themselves.
This isn’t about taking sides. It’s about truth, justice, and the kind of society we want to build. For me, as a criminal defense attorney, it’s about ensuring that the principles of fairness and accountability apply to everyone, no matter who they are or what they’ve done.
