A former New York State prison guard convicted of murder for his role in a brutal beating of an inmate seen on body camera was sentenced to 25 years to life in prison on Friday.
David Kingsley also received a 25-year sentence for a manslaughter conviction in the case. He is the only former guard convicted of murder in the death of Robert Brooks, who was brutally beaten by prison officials on the night of December 9, 2024, at Marcy Correctional Facility. Five other guards connected with the 43-year-old Black man’s death have pleaded guilty to manslaughter.
Video footage of guards pounding and kicking Brooks in handcuffs sparked worldwide outrage and calls for reform in New York prisons.
A grand jury indicted six guards on murder charges filed earlier this year by the special prosecutor, Onondaga County District Attorney William Fitzpatrick, who also charged four others with lesser offenses. Three of the individuals charged with murder ultimately admitted to first-degree manslaughter.
Prosecutors claimed Kingsley deserved the maximum term because he failed to accept responsibility for his crimes and forced Brooks’ family to go through the anguish of a trial. Before the sentence was issued, Kingsley apologized to Brooks’ family for his role in the “senseless” conduct that resulted in his death.
The victim’s son, Robert Brooks Jr., expressed his hope that the case may avoid such tragedies in the future. Brooks’ brother, Jared Ricks, remarked that, while forgiveness is a long way off, justice being served is a start in that direction.
A jury tried Kingsley, 45, along with three other guards in October for murder and first-degree manslaughter. He was the only one of the three found guilty. Body-camera footage shown at the trial showed him gripping Brooks’ neck and raising him while numerous guards surrounded the restrained man.
A final defendant is set to stand trial for second-degree manslaughter on January 12. Another guard was released from prison this month after attempting to retract a guilty plea to second-degree homicide.
Fitzpatrick was appointed special prosecutor after state Attorney General Letitia James recused herself, citing her office’s representation of other officers in separate litigation. He is also prosecuting guards involved in the deadly beating of Messiah Nantwi on March 1 at the Mid-State Correctional Facility, a nearby prison. Ten guards were indicted in April, including two for murder, in connection with Nantwi’s death.
The prisons are approximately 180 miles (290 kilometers) northwest of New York City.