Former New York state prison guard sentenced to up to life in prison in
inmate's death
[December 20, 2025]
UTICA, N.Y. (AP) — A former New York state prison guard convicted of
murder for his role in the brutal beating of an inmate that was captured
on body-camera footage was sentenced Friday to 25 years to life in
prison.
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 pummeled by corrections officers
on the night of Dec. 9, 2024, at Marcy Correctional Facility. Five other
guards charged in the 43-year-old Black man’s death have pleaded guilty
to manslaughter.
Video footage of Brooks in handcuffs being punched and stomped by guards
triggered widespread shock and calls for reform in New York's prisons.
Kingsley was sentenced hours before Gov. Kathy Hochul announced a deal
with state lawmakers on prison reforms that include a requirement that
cameras be installed in all facilities and that video footage related to
deaths behind bars be promptly released to state investigators.
Six guards were indicted by a grand jury for murder charges brought
earlier this year by the special prosecutor, Onondaga County District
Attorney William Fitzpatrick, who also charged four others with lesser
crimes. Three of the defendants charged with murder later pleaded guilty
to first-degree manslaughter.
Prosecutors said Kingsley deserved the maximum sentence because he
refused to take responsibility for his actions and made Brooks' family
go through the trauma of a trial. Speaking in court before the sentence
was imposed, Kingsley apologized to Brooks' relatives for his role in
the “senseless” actions that led to his death.
The victim’s son, Robert Brooks Jr., said that he hopes the case will
prevent similar incidents in the future. Brooks’ brother, Jared Ricks,
added that while forgiveness is a long way off, justice being served is
a step on that path.
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This image provided by the New York State Attorney General office
shows body camera footage of correction officers beating a
handcuffed man, Robert Brooks, at the Marcy Correctional Facility in
Oneida County, N.Y., Dec. 9, 2024. (New York State Attorney General
office via AP, File)
Kingsley, 45, was one of three guards tried before a jury in October
on charges of murder and first-degree manslaughter. He was the only
one of the trio found guilty. Body-camera footage played at the
trial showed him holding Brooks by the neck and lifting him as
multiple guards surrounded the handcuffed man.
A final defendant is scheduled to stand trial Jan. 12 on a
second-degree manslaughter charge. Another guard was released from
prison this month as he attempts to withdraw his guilty plea to
second-degree manslaughter.
Fitzpatrick became the special prosecutor after state Attorney
General Letitia James recused herself, citing her office’s
representation of several officers in separate lawsuits. He also is
prosecuting guards in the fatal beating of Messiah Nantwi on March 1
at a nearby prison, the Mid-State Correctional Facility. Ten guards
were indicted in April, including two who are charged with murder,
in Nantwi’s death.
The prisons are about 180 miles (290 kilometers) northwest of New
York City.
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