Two Former New York Prison Guards Sentenced in Robert Brooks Beating Death
ALBION, N.Y. – Two former New York State correction officers were sentenced to prison terms this week in connection with the 2022 beating death of inmate Robert Brooks at the Orleans Correctional facility, bringing a measure of closure to a case marked by multiple indictments and convictions of prison staff. The sentences follow a series of plea deals and a recent trial that exposed a pattern of violence and misconduct within the state’s correctional system.
The case stems from an incident on February 21, 2022, where Brooks, 34, was found unresponsive after being involved in a confrontation with multiple guards. Investigations revealed a brutal assault that led to his death. The convictions and sentences highlight ongoing scrutiny of conditions and practices within New York prisons,and the accountability of corrections personnel.
Last month, a jury convicted David Kingsley on both counts of murder and first-degree manslaughter in connection with Brooks’ death. Kingsley faces a potential life sentence. This week, former guards Richard Correia and Kevin schaeffer were sentenced to 8 1/3 to 25 years and 6 2/3 to 20 years, respectively, after pleading guilty to manslaughter.
The unfolding legal saga began in May 2023,when a guard,Christopher Walrath,pleaded guilty to manslaughter and was sentenced to 15 years in prison as part of a plea deal. Another guard pleaded guilty to attempted tampering with physical evidence and received a one-year conditional discharge.
Special Prosecutor fitzpatrick noted that two men were not allowed to read their statements themselves due to objections from all four defense attorneys after Fitzpatrick failed to file the required paperwork.
Fitzpatrick is also prosecuting guards in the March 1, 2023, fatal beating of Messiah Nantwi at the Mid-State Correctional facility. Eight guards have reached plea deals in that case, with five others scheduled to stand trial in March, including two charged with murder. Both Orleans and Mid-State Correctional Facilities are located approximately 180 miles (290 kilometers) northwest of New York city. Michael Fisher is scheduled to stand trial in January on a second-degree manslaughter charge related to the Brooks case.
