“Too long has passed without charges” -Governor Hochul on the death of Robert Brooks

Albany— Governor Kathy Hochul says it’s taking too long for charges to be filed in the December murder of Robert Brooks at the Marcy Correctional Center.

The Governor issued this statement on Thursday:

“Now that the Attorney General has appointed the Onondaga District Attorney as a special prosecutor, I hope prosecutors will work quickly to file formal charges and make arrests for the murder of Robert Brooks. Too much time has passed without changes being made against those responsible. The video of this horrific attack demonstrates that crimes were clearly committed, and I believe initial charges can be filed even when more serious charges are considered based on further investigation. While it is outside the power of my office to order arrests or file charges, my team has offered every resource necessary to help prosecutors act as quickly as possible to ensure justice is served. “Mr. Brooks’ family does not deserve any further delay.”

13 of the 14 prison officers have been suspended without pay, one has resigned, but the Governor has asked that all those involved be fired. In that case, collective bargaining requires a process before dismissal.

Meanwhile, a conflict of interest caused the Attorney General recusal in the investigation. Four officers involved in the beating of Robert Brooks, Glenn Trombly, Anthony Farina, Nicholas Anzalone and Robert Kessler, had previously filed lawsuits against them and are represented by members of the Attorney General’s Office.

Recusal court documents say the allegations in those other lawsuits are similar to the allegations in the Robert Brooks case.

Governor Hochul toured the Marcy facility this week and spoke with corrections officials and incarcerated people. After her visit, the Governor introduce several new measureschanging Marcy’s leadership, investing in more cameras and calling for polls to be conducted.

“We’re going to make sure we clean house and do what we have to do so that no one is subjected to that treatment again,” Governor Hochul told reporters on Friday. “I’m bringing in experts who were bringing in national experts to help us do a cultural survey to find out what’s going on there as well.”

Governor Hochul was asked if she could address public safety and prison reform during this year’s legislative session, which begins January 8.

She responded: “I’m already addressing what happened in Marcy. I don’t need a legislative session telling me to do my job.”

So, CBS6 spoke with legislators on Friday, asking what his role might be in address abuse allegations in state prisons.

“I’m a big proponent of the fact that we need to have full accountability, if it’s about more than cameras let us know what it is, if it’s about changing laws let us know what it is,” Assemblyman Cohoes (D) said John McDonald.