ONEIDA COUNTY, N.Y. — Six corrections officers seen on bodycam video beating Robert Brooks, a 43-year-old Greece man, have been charged with his murder.

They appeared before a judge in Oneida County Court for the unsealing of an indictment on Thursday afternoon. All defendants were bonded out and are expected back in court on March 31. In addition, three other prison staff members were charged with manslaughter and another with tampering with evidence.

Their court appearance comes months after the release of the video showing officers beating Brooks in a medical exam room on Dec. 9 at Marcy Correctional Facility. He died in the hospital the next day.

Judge Robert Bauer read the defendants’ charges and arraigned them. Some people in the overflow courtroom were shouting “no bail”. News10NBC was in the overflow courtroom for their arraignment.

There is one defendant who wasn’t in court on Thursday. He is facing second-degree murder and manslaughter charges. He is expected to surrender next week and be in court soon after.

Before court came into session, dozens of people gathered outside the courtroom chanting “Justice for Robert Brooks” and praying together.

Gov. Kathy Hochul announced the murder charges an hour before the court appearance. Here is Hochuls’s full statement:

“Robert Brooks should be alive today. The brutal attack on Mr. Brooks was sickening, and I immediately moved to terminate the employment of those involved. Now, the perpetrators have been rightfully charged with murder and State Police are making arrests.”

“This incident is a sobering reminder of the challenges facing our correctional system. I’ve worked with Commissioner Martuscello on safety reforms, including installing new security cameras, strengthening the Office of Special Investigations and increasing compensation for our hard-working correction officers.”

“Public safety is my top priority. I will continue doing everything in my power to keep our correctional facilities safe for all.”

Brooks had been incarcerated at Mohawk Correctional Facility in Rome and was transferred to Marcy Correctional Facility the day he was beaten. The Onondaga County Medical Examiner determined that Brooks died from compression of the neck and multiple blunt impact injuries.

After the beating, seventeen employees at Marcy Correctional Facility were suspended without pay or resigned. That includes two nurses.

Brooks’ family described him as someone who loved making music, writing short stories, and dreamed of a new life after he completed his prison sentence. Brooks was serving a 12-year sentence that began in 2017 for a stabbing.

Brooks’ father, who runs a nonprofit in Rochester aiming to help at-risk youth, has called for increased accountability for prison staff. Brooks’ father, Robert Ricks, spoke with News10NBC about his calls for justice and his reaction to the bodycam footage.

“In the beginning when I looked at it, all I saw was my son. And sometimes today when I close my eyes, what I see is my son in a body bag,” Ricks said.

The Onondaga County district attorney is the special prosecutor on the case. The NYS Attorney General’s Office recused itself from the investigation because of a conflict of interest, with lawyers from the office representing four of the involved corrections officers on separate matters.

The New York State Correctional Officers & Police Benevolent Association, the union that represents corrections officers, released this statement about the charges:

“NYSCOPBA has been monitoring the on-going investigation into the death of Robert Brooks at Marcy Correctional Facility that culminated with the indictment and arrests of nine members today.”   

“As we stated in December, the actions of those staff were incomprehensible and not reflective of the majority of our membership. The indictments and arrests today of those officers who allegedly were involved in causing Mr. Brooks death, should be afforded the same presumption of innocence that every citizen is afforded until proven guilty in a court of law.” 

“We will fulfill our obligation under the collective bargaining agreement for those members facing departmental charges and closely monitor the next steps in the criminal justice process for those indicted today.”

RELATED:

• Father of Robert Brooks speaks about prison reform at State Legislature hearing (Feb. 14)
• Community calls for reform after Robert Brooks’ death (Feb. 4)
• Father of beaten inmate, Robert Brooks, seeks justice and change in Rochester (Jan. 31)
• Ben Crump speaks about education, Robert Brooks’ death, and other topics during visit to Rochester (Jan. 18)
• ‘He deserved to live’; Family files lawsuit in death of Robert Brooks and shares memories (Jan. 15)
• AG’s Office aims to withdraw from defending corrections officers in four lawsuits (Jan. 27)
• Former inmate speaks out about prison violence after video of Robert Brooks’ beating released (Jan. 8)
• ‘This killing must be a catalyst for change’: Robert Brooks’ son speaks out at rally (Dec. 31)
• Local faith leaders demand accountability, systemic changes after inmate dies after beating (Dec. 30)
• ‘Heartbroken’: Prison reform advocate calls Marcy Correctional Facility video ‘dehumanizing’ (Dec. 30)
• ‘Completely inexplicable’: Family attorney reacts to body cam video of Robert Brooks’ beating in prison (Dec. 28)