UTICA, N.Y. — A former Marcy Correctional officer has been sentenced to 15 years in prison, plus five years of post-release supervision, for his role in the brutal beating death of Robert Brooks, our Utica affiliate WKTV reports.
Christopher Walrath, 36, pleaded guilty in May to first-degree manslaughter in the killing of Brooks at Marcy Correctional Facility in Oneida County in December of 2024.
RELATED: Prison guard charged in beating death of Robert Brooks pleads guilty
Walrath admitted to intentionally beating Brooks, putting him into a chokehold and striking his body and his groin.
Body-camera footage showed Walrath and other prison guards beating Brooks in a medical exam room.
RELATED: Bodycam footage shows corrections officers beating inmate from Greece, hours before he died
In total, six correction officers face murder charges for Brooks’ death, and three are charged with manslaughter.
RELATED: Prison workers appear in court on murder or manslaughter charges in beating of Robert Brooks
Pre-trial proceedings began in June for three of the former prison guards; Anthony Farina, Nicholas Kieffer, and David Kingsley. All three of them had declined plea deals.
RELATED: Pre-trial proceedings expected to begin for three former guards accused in Robert Brooks’ death
Michael Mashaw, another former prison guard charged with manslaughter, has a trial date set for Oct. 6.
SEE MORE RELATED STORIES
- 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)
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