Due to a potential conflict of interest, the New York Attorney General's office has stepped down from the investigation into the death of Robert Brooks, a state prisoner who died after being beaten by corrections officers. Onondaga County District Attorney William J. Fitzpatrick will now serve as the special prosecutor.
The New York attorney general’s office has recused itself from the high-profile case involving the beating death of state prisoner Robert Brooks due to an internal conflict, officials said on Thursday. Four corrections officers under investigation are currently represented by attorneys from the attorney general’s office in other cases.
Brooks, 43, who was recently transferred to the Marcy Correctional Facility in Oneida County, approximately 200 miles northwest of New York City, was shown in footage being beaten by as many as eight corrections officers while handcuffed. Following the state corrections department’s announcement of his death on Dec. 15, James launched an investigation into the incident. However, on Thursday, James revealed that her office would recuse itself from the case, and the Division of State Counsel will also not represent the Department of Corrections or its officers. Onondaga County District Attorney William J. Fitzpatrick will serve as the special prosecutor in the case. His office did not immediately respond to requests for comment. In a statement, James said the appearance of a conflict could delay or potentially dismiss a prosecution. “We believe this is the best course of action to protect the integrity of the investigation and to ensure accountability and justice for Brooks, his family, friends, loved ones and for all New Yorkers,” James said. Following James' announcement, Gov. Kathy Hochul released a statement expressing her expectation that the prosecution would 'work expeditiously' to bring formal charges and make arrests in the case. Hochul’s office has already offered “any necessary resources” to assist the prosecution. She also recently replaced the head of the prison and introduced changes. “Too much time has passed without changes being brought against the individuals responsible,” Hochul said
PERMANENT_CONFLICT_OF_INTEREST CORRECTIONS PRISON INVESTIGATION JUSTICE
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