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Special prosecutor appointed in death of man beaten by New York corrections officers

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Special prosecutor appointed in death of man beaten by New York corrections officers
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Special prosecutor appointed in death of man beaten by New York corrections officers

2025-01-03 07:44 Last Updated At:07:52

ALBANY, N.Y. (AP) — New York's attorney general appointed a special prosecutor Thursday to investigate the death of a man who was beaten by guards at a state prison, saying her office cannot oversee the inquiry because it was already representing some of the corrections officials involved in civil lawsuits.

Attorney General Letitia James, a Democrat, chose the Republican district attorney in Onondaga County, William Fitzpatrick, to investigate the Dec. 10 death of Robert Brooks.

The attorney general typically investigates the deaths of people in the custody of law enforcement, but James said four of the officers under investigation were already being represented by lawyers in her office. Some of the guards have previously been defendants in brutality lawsuits filed by other prisoners.

“Even the possibility or mere appearance of a conflict could tie up a potential prosecution in lengthy legal challenges or get a potential prosecution outright dismissed,” James said in a video message. “And I will not allow justice to be delayed or denied because of a conflict.”

Recently released body camera video shows officers punching Brooks while he was handcuffed on a medical examination table at Marcy Correctional Facility on Dec. 9. One officer uses a shoe to strike Brooks in the stomach, and another yanks him up by his neck and drops him back on the table.

Brooks was pronounced dead the following morning.

Fitzpatrick has been the top prosecutor in the Syracuse area since 1992. His office released a statement saying he would not comment “until the grand jury has taken action.”

The beating has prompted widespread condemnation and calls for reform. Gov. Kathy Hochul, who said she was “outraged and horrified” by the videos, appointed a new superintendent for the prison. She also ordered state officials to initiate proceedings to fire 13 correctional officers and a nurse implicated in the attack.

Now that a special prosecutor has been appointed, Hochul said, she expects his team will work quickly to bring charges.

“The video of this horrific attack demonstrates that crimes clearly were committed, and I believe initial charges can be brought even as more serious charges are considered based on further investigation,” said Hochul, who as governor has no authority over the special prosecutor or to bring criminal charges herself.

The final results of Brooks’ autopsy are not available. Preliminary findings from a medical examination indicate “concern for asphyxia due to compression of the neck as the cause of death, as well as the death being due to actions of another,” according to court filings.

Brooks, who was serving a 12-year prison sentence for first-degree assault since 2017, arrived at the prison 200 miles (320 kilometers) northwest of New York City only hours before the beating after being transferred from another nearby facility, officials said.

FILE — Onondaga County District Attorney William Fitzpatrick speaks during a news in Syracuse, N.Y., Feb. 21, 2019. (AP Photo/Nick Lisi, File)

FILE — Onondaga County District Attorney William Fitzpatrick speaks during a news in Syracuse, N.Y., Feb. 21, 2019. (AP Photo/Nick Lisi, File)

FILE - This image provided by the New York State Attorney General office shows body camera footage of correction officers beating a handcuffed man, Robert Brooks, 43, at the Marcy Correctional Facility in Oneida County, N.Y., on Dec. 9, 2024. (New York State Attorney General office via AP, File)

FILE - This image provided by the New York State Attorney General office shows body camera footage of correction officers beating a handcuffed man, Robert Brooks, 43, at the Marcy Correctional Facility in Oneida County, N.Y., on Dec. 9, 2024. (New York State Attorney General office via AP, File)

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PHOTO COLLECTION: Trump Tariffs

2025-04-03 15:54 Last Updated At:16:01

This is a photo collection curated by AP photo editors.

Indian bikers Arup Pathak, right, Abbasuddin Ahmed, center, and Ripon Basak pose with their Harley Davidson motorbikes in Guwahati, India, Thursday, April 3, 2025. (AP Photo/Anupam Nath)

Indian bikers Arup Pathak, right, Abbasuddin Ahmed, center, and Ripon Basak pose with their Harley Davidson motorbikes in Guwahati, India, Thursday, April 3, 2025. (AP Photo/Anupam Nath)

Indian bikers Abbasuddin Ahmed, center, flanked by Ripon Basak, right, and Arup Pathak ride their Harley Davidson motorbikes in Guwahati, India, Thursday, April 3, 2025. (AP Photo/Anupam Nath)

Indian bikers Abbasuddin Ahmed, center, flanked by Ripon Basak, right, and Arup Pathak ride their Harley Davidson motorbikes in Guwahati, India, Thursday, April 3, 2025. (AP Photo/Anupam Nath)

Romesh Sapra, an architect, rides his Harley Davidson motorcycle near his house in New Delhi, India, Tuesday, April 1, 2025. (AP Photo)

Romesh Sapra, an architect, rides his Harley Davidson motorcycle near his house in New Delhi, India, Tuesday, April 1, 2025. (AP Photo)

Romesh Sapra, an architect, prepares to ride his Harley Davidson motorcycle near his house in New Delhi, India, Tuesday, April 1, 2025. (AP Photo)

Romesh Sapra, an architect, prepares to ride his Harley Davidson motorcycle near his house in New Delhi, India, Tuesday, April 1, 2025. (AP Photo)

News of tariff hikes announced by U.S. President Donald Trump is seen on a display screen on the facade of the Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE) building in Mumbai, India, Thursday, April 3, 2025. (AP Photo/Rafiq Maqbool)

News of tariff hikes announced by U.S. President Donald Trump is seen on a display screen on the facade of the Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE) building in Mumbai, India, Thursday, April 3, 2025. (AP Photo/Rafiq Maqbool)

News of tariff hikes announced by U.S. President Donald Trump is seen on a display screen on the facade of the Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE) building in Mumbai, India, Thursday, April 3, 2025. (AP Photo/Rafiq Maqbool)

News of tariff hikes announced by U.S. President Donald Trump is seen on a display screen on the facade of the Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE) building in Mumbai, India, Thursday, April 3, 2025. (AP Photo/Rafiq Maqbool)

Employee Jonathon Cortez, left, helps a customer find metal screws at employee-owned Devon Hardware, Wednesday, April 2, 2025, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Erin Hooley)

Employee Jonathon Cortez, left, helps a customer find metal screws at employee-owned Devon Hardware, Wednesday, April 2, 2025, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Erin Hooley)

Employee Jonathon Cortez, left, helps a customer find metal screws at employee-owned Devon Hardware, Wednesday, April 2, 2025, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Erin Hooley)

Employee Jonathon Cortez, left, helps a customer find metal screws at employee-owned Devon Hardware, Wednesday, April 2, 2025, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Erin Hooley)

Stainless sreel fasteners are for sale at employee-owned Devon Hardware, Wednesday, April 2, 2025, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Erin Hooley)

Stainless sreel fasteners are for sale at employee-owned Devon Hardware, Wednesday, April 2, 2025, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Erin Hooley)

Loose nails are for sale at employee-owned Devon Hardware, Wednesday, April 2, 2025, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Erin Hooley)

Loose nails are for sale at employee-owned Devon Hardware, Wednesday, April 2, 2025, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Erin Hooley)

Steel lumber nails are for sale at employee-owned Devon Hardware, Wednesday, April 2, 2025, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Erin Hooley)

Steel lumber nails are for sale at employee-owned Devon Hardware, Wednesday, April 2, 2025, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Erin Hooley)

Steel cable is for sale at employee-owned Devon Hardware, Wednesday, April 2, 2025, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Erin Hooley)

Steel cable is for sale at employee-owned Devon Hardware, Wednesday, April 2, 2025, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Erin Hooley)

Employee Jonathon Cortez works in an aisle of metal hardware at employee-owned Devon Hardware, Wednesday, April 2, 2025, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Erin Hooley)

Employee Jonathon Cortez works in an aisle of metal hardware at employee-owned Devon Hardware, Wednesday, April 2, 2025, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Erin Hooley)

Metal fasteners are for sale at employee-owned Devon Hardware, Wednesday, April 2, 2025, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Erin Hooley)

Metal fasteners are for sale at employee-owned Devon Hardware, Wednesday, April 2, 2025, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Erin Hooley)

Elbows Up for Canada protesters gather near The Peace Bridge border crossing in Buffalo, N.Y., Wednesday, April 2, 2025. (AP Photo/Adrian Kraus)

Elbows Up for Canada protesters gather near The Peace Bridge border crossing in Buffalo, N.Y., Wednesday, April 2, 2025. (AP Photo/Adrian Kraus)

Elbows Up for Canada protesters gather near The Peace Bridge border crossing in Buffalo, N.Y., Wednesday, April 2, 2025. (AP Photo/Adrian Kraus)

Elbows Up for Canada protesters gather near The Peace Bridge border crossing in Buffalo, N.Y., Wednesday, April 2, 2025. (AP Photo/Adrian Kraus)

Kate Powers, left, addresses protesters gathered near The Peace Bridge border crossing in Buffalo, N.Y., Wednesday, April 2, 2025. (AP Photo/Adrian Kraus)

Kate Powers, left, addresses protesters gathered near The Peace Bridge border crossing in Buffalo, N.Y., Wednesday, April 2, 2025. (AP Photo/Adrian Kraus)

Beth McKee holds a sign as she stands over the highway near The Peace Bridge border crossing in Buffalo, N.Y., Wednesday, Apr. 2, 2025. (AP Photo/Adrian Kraus)

Beth McKee holds a sign as she stands over the highway near The Peace Bridge border crossing in Buffalo, N.Y., Wednesday, Apr. 2, 2025. (AP Photo/Adrian Kraus)

Deborah Tatko has a photo taken with her signs as she stands with protesters gathered near The Peace Bridge border crossing in Buffalo, N.Y., Wednesday, April 2, 2025. (AP Photo/Adrian Kraus)

Deborah Tatko has a photo taken with her signs as she stands with protesters gathered near The Peace Bridge border crossing in Buffalo, N.Y., Wednesday, April 2, 2025. (AP Photo/Adrian Kraus)

Cranes and shipping containers are seen at a port in Pyeongtaek, South Korea, Wednesday, April 2, 2025. (AP Photo/Ahn Young-joon)

Cranes and shipping containers are seen at a port in Pyeongtaek, South Korea, Wednesday, April 2, 2025. (AP Photo/Ahn Young-joon)

Cranes and shipping containers are seen at a port in Pyeongtaek, South Korea, Wednesday, April 2, 2025. (AP Photo/Ahn Young-joon)

Cranes and shipping containers are seen at a port in Pyeongtaek, South Korea, Wednesday, April 2, 2025. (AP Photo/Ahn Young-joon)

Vehicles for export are parked at a port in Pyeongtaek, South Korea, Wednesday, April 2, 2025. (AP Photo/Ahn Young-joon)

Vehicles for export are parked at a port in Pyeongtaek, South Korea, Wednesday, April 2, 2025. (AP Photo/Ahn Young-joon)

Vehicles for export are parked at a port in Pyeongtaek, South Korea, Wednesday, April 2, 2025. (AP Photo/Ahn Young-joon)

Vehicles for export are parked at a port in Pyeongtaek, South Korea, Wednesday, April 2, 2025. (AP Photo/Ahn Young-joon)

Cranes and shipping containers are seen at a port in Pyeongtaek, South Korea, Wednesday, April 2, 2025. (AP Photo/Ahn Young-joon)

Cranes and shipping containers are seen at a port in Pyeongtaek, South Korea, Wednesday, April 2, 2025. (AP Photo/Ahn Young-joon)

Vehicles for export stand parked at a port in Pyeongtaek, South Korea, Wednesday, April 2, 2025. (AP Photo/Ahn Young-joon)

Vehicles for export stand parked at a port in Pyeongtaek, South Korea, Wednesday, April 2, 2025. (AP Photo/Ahn Young-joon)

Vehicles for export park at a port in Pyeongtaek, South Korea, Wednesday, April 2, 2025. (AP Photo/Ahn Young-joon)

Vehicles for export park at a port in Pyeongtaek, South Korea, Wednesday, April 2, 2025. (AP Photo/Ahn Young-joon)

A truck container drives past the Jakarta International container terminal at Tanjung Priok seaport in Jakarta, Indonesia, Thursday, April 3, 2025. (AP Photo/Achmad Ibrahim)

A truck container drives past the Jakarta International container terminal at Tanjung Priok seaport in Jakarta, Indonesia, Thursday, April 3, 2025. (AP Photo/Achmad Ibrahim)

A truck container drives past the Jakarta International container terminal at Tanjung Priok seaport in Jakarta, Indonesia, Thursday, April 3, 2025. (AP Photo/Achmad Ibrahim)

A truck container drives past the Jakarta International container terminal at Tanjung Priok seaport in Jakarta, Indonesia, Thursday, April 3, 2025. (AP Photo/Achmad Ibrahim)

A Cambodian garment worker buys cloth during a lunch break on a sidewalk at Ang Tako village outside Phnom Penh Cambodia, Thursday, April 3, 2025. (AP Photo/Heng Sinith)

A Cambodian garment worker buys cloth during a lunch break on a sidewalk at Ang Tako village outside Phnom Penh Cambodia, Thursday, April 3, 2025. (AP Photo/Heng Sinith)

Cambodian garment workers look at clothes displayed for sale during a lunch break on a sidewalk at Ang Tako village, outside Phnom Penh Cambodia, Thursday, April 3, 2025. (AP Photo/Heng Sinith)

Cambodian garment workers look at clothes displayed for sale during a lunch break on a sidewalk at Ang Tako village, outside Phnom Penh Cambodia, Thursday, April 3, 2025. (AP Photo/Heng Sinith)

Cambodian garment workers join for lunch on a sidewalk at Ang Tako village outside Phnom Penh Cambodia, Thursday, April 3, 2025. (AP Photo/Heng Sinith)

Cambodian garment workers join for lunch on a sidewalk at Ang Tako village outside Phnom Penh Cambodia, Thursday, April 3, 2025. (AP Photo/Heng Sinith)

News of tariff hikes announced by U.S. President Donald Trump is seen on a display screen on the facade of the Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE) building in Mumbai, India, Thursday, April 3, 2025. (AP Photo/Rafiq Maqbool)

News of tariff hikes announced by U.S. President Donald Trump is seen on a display screen on the facade of the Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE) building in Mumbai, India, Thursday, April 3, 2025. (AP Photo/Rafiq Maqbool)

News of tariff hikes announced by U.S. President Donald Trump is seen on a display screen on the facade of the Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE) building in Mumbai, India, Thursday, April 3, 2025. (AP Photo/Rafiq Maqbool)

News of tariff hikes announced by U.S. President Donald Trump is seen on a display screen on the facade of the Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE) building in Mumbai, India, Thursday, April 3, 2025. (AP Photo/Rafiq Maqbool)

Us President Donald Trump appears on a television screen at the stock market in Frankfurt, Germany, Wednesday, April 2, 2025. (AP Photo/Michael Probst)

Us President Donald Trump appears on a television screen at the stock market in Frankfurt, Germany, Wednesday, April 2, 2025. (AP Photo/Michael Probst)

Containers are stacked at the Port of Los Angeles Wednesday, April 2, 2025, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Damian Dovarganes)

Containers are stacked at the Port of Los Angeles Wednesday, April 2, 2025, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Damian Dovarganes)

Containers are stacked at the Port of Los Angeles Wednesday, April 2, 2025, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Damian Dovarganes)

Containers are stacked at the Port of Los Angeles Wednesday, April 2, 2025, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Damian Dovarganes)

Containers are stacked at the Port of Los Angeles Wednesday, April 2, 2025, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Damian Dovarganes)

Containers are stacked at the Port of Los Angeles Wednesday, April 2, 2025, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Damian Dovarganes)

Containers are stacked at the Port of Los Angeles Wednesday, April 2, 2025, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Damian Dovarganes)

Containers are stacked at the Port of Los Angeles Wednesday, April 2, 2025, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Damian Dovarganes)

Containers are stacked at the Port of Los Angeles Wednesday, April 2, 2025, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Damian Dovarganes)

Containers are stacked at the Port of Los Angeles Wednesday, April 2, 2025, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Damian Dovarganes)

Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., center, is joined from left by Sen. Tim Kaine, D-Va., Sen. Peter Welch, D-Vt., and Sen. Angela Alsobrooks, D-Md., as they speak to reporters about President Donald Trump's tariffs on foreign countries, at the Capitol, in Washington, Wednesday, April 2, 2025. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite)

Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., center, is joined from left by Sen. Tim Kaine, D-Va., Sen. Peter Welch, D-Vt., and Sen. Angela Alsobrooks, D-Md., as they speak to reporters about President Donald Trump's tariffs on foreign countries, at the Capitol, in Washington, Wednesday, April 2, 2025. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite)

From left, Sen. Tim Kaine, D-Va., Sen. Angela Alsobrooks, D-Md., Sen. Peter Welch, D-Vt., and Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., speak to reporters about President Donald Trump's tariffs on foreign countries, at the Capitol, in Washington, Wednesday, April 2, 2025. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite)

From left, Sen. Tim Kaine, D-Va., Sen. Angela Alsobrooks, D-Md., Sen. Peter Welch, D-Vt., and Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., speak to reporters about President Donald Trump's tariffs on foreign countries, at the Capitol, in Washington, Wednesday, April 2, 2025. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite)

President Donald Trump speaks during an event to announce new tariffs in the Rose Garden of the White House, Wednesday, April 2, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)

President Donald Trump speaks during an event to announce new tariffs in the Rose Garden of the White House, Wednesday, April 2, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)

President Donald Trump speaks during an event to announce new tariffs in the Rose Garden of the White House, Wednesday, April 2, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)

President Donald Trump speaks during an event to announce new tariffs in the Rose Garden of the White House, Wednesday, April 2, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)

Members of congress and invited guests listen as President Donald Trump speaks during an event to announce new tariffs in the Rose Garden of the White House, Wednesday, April 2, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)

Members of congress and invited guests listen as President Donald Trump speaks during an event to announce new tariffs in the Rose Garden of the White House, Wednesday, April 2, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)

Retired autoworker Brian Pannebecker speaks as President Donald Trump listens during an event to announce new tariffs in the Rose Garden at the White House, Wednesday, April 2, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein)

Retired autoworker Brian Pannebecker speaks as President Donald Trump listens during an event to announce new tariffs in the Rose Garden at the White House, Wednesday, April 2, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein)

President Donald Trump speaks during an event to announce new tariffs in the Rose Garden at the White House, Wednesday, April 2, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein)

President Donald Trump speaks during an event to announce new tariffs in the Rose Garden at the White House, Wednesday, April 2, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein)

President Donald Trump speaks during an event to announce new tariffs in the Rose Garden at the White House, Wednesday, April 2, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein)

President Donald Trump speaks during an event to announce new tariffs in the Rose Garden at the White House, Wednesday, April 2, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein)

President Donald Trump holds a signed executive order during an event to announce new tariffs in the Rose Garden of the White House, Wednesday, April 2, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)

President Donald Trump holds a signed executive order during an event to announce new tariffs in the Rose Garden of the White House, Wednesday, April 2, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)

Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick holds a chart as President Donald Trump speaks during an event to announce new tariffs in the Rose Garden at the White House, Wednesday, April 2, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein)

Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick holds a chart as President Donald Trump speaks during an event to announce new tariffs in the Rose Garden at the White House, Wednesday, April 2, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein)

President Donald Trump speaks during an event to announce new tariffs in the Rose Garden at the White House, Wednesday, April 2, 2025, in Washington, as Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick listens. (AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein)

President Donald Trump speaks during an event to announce new tariffs in the Rose Garden at the White House, Wednesday, April 2, 2025, in Washington, as Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick listens. (AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein)

President Donald Trump arrives to speak during an event to announce new tariffs in the Rose Garden of the White House, Wednesday, April 2, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)

President Donald Trump arrives to speak during an event to announce new tariffs in the Rose Garden of the White House, Wednesday, April 2, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)

President Donald Trump arrives to speak during an event to announce new tariffs in the Rose Garden of the White House, Wednesday, April 2, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)

President Donald Trump arrives to speak during an event to announce new tariffs in the Rose Garden of the White House, Wednesday, April 2, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)

President Donald Trump speaks during an event to announce new tariffs in the Rose Garden at the White House, Wednesday, April 2, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein)

President Donald Trump speaks during an event to announce new tariffs in the Rose Garden at the White House, Wednesday, April 2, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein)

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