Latest news with #ChristopherWalrath
Yahoo
5 days ago
- Yahoo
Former New York prison guard sentenced to 15 years for beating death of inmate
UTICA, N.Y. (AP) — A former corrections officer was sentenced to 15 years in prison Monday for his role in the death of a Black inmate whose beating by a group of guards at an upstate New York prison was captured on bodycam videos. Christopher Walrath was one of six guards charged with murder in the death of Robert Brooks, who was pummeled at the Marcy Correctional Facility on Dec. 9. Walrath pleaded guilty to first-degree manslaughter in May under the first plea deal among the guards charged with murder. 'In that video, I see you and your fellow officers treating him as if his life holds no value at all, as if you're entitled to brutalize him for sport,' Robert Brooks Jr., the victim's son, told the court. The son said in his victim impact statement that, 'I am not OK and I never will be.' Brooks had been serving a 12-year sentence for first-degree assault since 2017 and was transferred to Marcy from a nearby lockup on the night he was beaten. The videos show Brooks being struck in the chest with a shoe, lifted by his neck and then dropped. Under questioning in May from Onondaga County District Attorney William Fitzpatrick, Walrath admitted that he and other guards assaulted Brooks, that he put Brooks in a chokehold, and that he struck the inmate's body and groin. In addition to the six guards charged in February with murder, three more prison workers were indicted for manslaughter and another for evidence tampering. Prosecutors have said three other prison workers have reached agreements. A guard pleaded guilty in May to attempted tampering with physical evidence and was sentenced to a one-year conditional discharge. Trials were scheduled to begin in October for guards who have rejected plea deals. Fitzpatrick also is prosecuting guards in the fatal beating of Messiah Nantwi on March 1 at another Marcy lockup, the Mid-State Correctional Facility. Ten guards were indicted in April, including two who are charged with murder. Both prisons are about 180 miles (290 kilometers) northwest of New York City.
Toronto Star
5 days ago
- Toronto Star
Former New York prison guard sentenced to 15 years for beating death of inmate
UTICA, N.Y. (AP) — A former corrections officer was sentenced to 15 years in prison Monday for his role in the death of a Black inmate whose beating by a group of guards at an upstate New York prison was captured on bodycam videos. Christopher Walrath was one of six guards charged with murder in the death of Robert Brooks, who was pummeled at the Marcy Correctional Facility on Dec. 9. Walrath pleaded guilty to first-degree manslaughter in May under the first plea deal among the guards charged with murder.
The Independent
5 days ago
- The Independent
Former New York prison guard sentenced to 15 years for beating death of inmate
A former corrections officer was sentenced to 15 years in prison Monday for his role in the death of a Black inmate whose beating by a group of guards at an upstate New York prison was captured on bodycam videos. Christopher Walrath was one of six guards charged with murder in the death of Robert Brooks, who was pummeled at the Marcy Correctional Facility on Dec. 9. Walrath pleaded guilty to first-degree manslaughter in May under the first plea deal among the guards charged with murder. 'In that video, I see you and your fellow officers treating him as if his life holds no value at all, as if you're entitled to brutalize him for sport,' Robert Brooks Jr., the victim's son, told the court. The son said in his victim impact statement that, 'I am not OK and I never will be.' Brooks had been serving a 12-year sentence for first-degree assault since 2017 and was transferred to Marcy from a nearby lockup on the night he was beaten. The videos show Brooks being struck in the chest with a shoe, lifted by his neck and then dropped. Under questioning in May from Onondaga County District Attorney William Fitzpatrick, Walrath admitted that he and other guards assaulted Brooks, that he put Brooks in a chokehold, and that he struck the inmate's body and groin. In addition to the six guards charged in February with murder, three more prison workers were indicted for manslaughter and another for evidence tampering. Prosecutors have said three other prison workers have reached agreements. A guard pleaded guilty in May to attempted tampering with physical evidence and was sentenced to a one-year conditional discharge. Trials were scheduled to begin in October for guards who have rejected plea deals. Fitzpatrick also is prosecuting guards in the fatal beating of Messiah Nantwi on March 1 at another Marcy lockup, the Mid-State Correctional Facility. Ten guards were indicted in April, including two who are charged with murder.
Associated Press
5 days ago
- Associated Press
Former New York prison guard sentenced to 15 years for beating death of inmate
UTICA, N.Y. (AP) — A former corrections officer was sentenced to 15 years in prison Monday for his role in the death of a Black inmate whose beating by a group of guards at an upstate New York prison was captured on bodycam videos. Christopher Walrath was one of six guards charged with murder in the death of Robert Brooks, who was pummeled at the Marcy Correctional Facility on Dec. 9. Walrath pleaded guilty to first-degree manslaughter in May under the first plea deal among the guards charged with murder. 'In that video, I see you and your fellow officers treating him as if his life holds no value at all, as if you're entitled to brutalize him for sport,' Robert Brooks Jr., the victim's son, told the court. The son said in his victim impact statement that, 'I am not OK and I never will be.' Brooks had been serving a 12-year sentence for first-degree assault since 2017 and was transferred to Marcy from a nearby lockup on the night he was beaten. The videos show Brooks being struck in the chest with a shoe, lifted by his neck and then dropped. Under questioning in May from Onondaga County District Attorney William Fitzpatrick, Walrath admitted that he and other guards assaulted Brooks, that he put Brooks in a chokehold, and that he struck the inmate's body and groin. In addition to the six guards charged in February with murder, three more prison workers were indicted for manslaughter and another for evidence tampering. Prosecutors have said three other prison workers have reached agreements. A guard pleaded guilty in May to attempted tampering with physical evidence and was sentenced to a one-year conditional discharge. Trials were scheduled to begin in October for guards who have rejected plea deals. Fitzpatrick also is prosecuting guards in the fatal beating of Messiah Nantwi on March 1 at another Marcy lockup, the Mid-State Correctional Facility. Ten guards were indicted in April, including two who are charged with murder. Both prisons are about 180 miles (290 kilometers) northwest of New York City.
Yahoo
19-05-2025
- Yahoo
Eight correction officers are headed to trial, letting jury hear charges related to Marcy prison beating
UTICA, N.Y. (WSYR-TV) — Eight of ten correction officers accused of beating an inmate at the Marcy Correctional Facility to death will let an Oneida County jury decide their fate, each having rejected the chance to plead guilty immediately and avoid a trial in exchange for a softer sentence. In Oneida County Court on Monday, May 19, two remaining defendants formally turned down plea agreements offered by the special prosecutor's office. The promise had been a sentence of 15-18 years in prison in exchange for admission of guilt to some of the charges. The eight officers still facing charges are headed to a shared trial, unless the judge agrees to any requests from defense attorneys to sever their cases. A trial date has not been scheduled. Conviction of murder by a jury risks each defendant more than 25 years in prison. Two officers have already admitted guilt to their role in the beating of inmate Robert Brooks. On May 5, Christopher Walrath pleaded guilty to manslaughter in exchange for 15 years in prison and dropping the murder charge against him. On May 14, Nicholas Gentile admitted guilt to attempted tampering with physical evidence. Eight correction officers are headed to trial, letting jury hear charges related to Marcy prison beating Second Marcy officer pleads guilty in beating death of Robert Brooks; Three more reject plea deals Three former Marcy correction officers reject plea deal in beating death of Robert Brooks case First officer pleads guilty for role in brutal beating death of inmate at Marcy Correctional Facility 'Wasteful manner': Frustrated judge allows two more weeks for Marcy offers to decide on plea agreements 'There's something going on:' Violent prison culture allowed inmate deaths, governor says Two more officers given more time to consider plea offer made in Marcy prison case Three correction officers charged with beating death of Marcy inmate get more time to consider plea agreement 'Not a… deal:' Attorney defending correction officer isn't impressed with prosecution's plea offer in prison beating case Officers charged with Marcy inmate's murder have two weeks to consider avoiding trial with guilty plea offers Sixth correction officer charged with murder after beating Marcy inmate Six correction officers charged with murder for beating inmate at Marcy Correctional Facility Onondaga County DA plans 'noteworthy development' in case of Marcy inmate homicide Push for NYS prison reform New Yorkers rally for Robert Brooks outside the Onondaga County DA's office Death of Robert Brooks ruled a homicide, Gov. Hochul pushes for arrests Governor defends keeping Marcy prison open despite calls to close facility after inmate's death New bill aims for 'swift justice' in NYS Correctional abuse cases Assemblyman spends night at Marcy Correctional Facility Some NYS lawmakers call for the closure of Marcy Correctional Facility Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
