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Former corrections officer Christopher Walrath has pleaded guilty to first-degree manslaughter in connection with the death of inmate Robert Brooks at Marcy Correctional Facility. The plea, entered in Oneida County Court on Monday (May 5), follows a brutal incident captured on body camera footage, which led to public outrage and charges against multiple officers.
Walrath, 36, admitted to his role in the December 9, 2024, beating of Brooks, acknowledging that he struck Brooks in the groin and participated in the assault. Under the plea agreement, Walrath will serve 15 years in prison with an additional five years of post-release supervision. He remains free on bail until his sentencing on August 4.
The attack on Brooks, who was handcuffed and on a medical examination table, resulted in his death the following day. According to WKTV, Onondaga County District Attorney William Fitzpatrick, serving as the special prosecutor, indicated that Walrath's actions, while violent, were deemed non-lethal. Fitzpatrick hopes this plea will encourage other involved officers to accept plea deals.
Robert Brooks Jr., the victim's son, described the guilty plea as "one important but modest step on the long road to justice for my father." He expressed hope for Walrath's rehabilitation in prison, while calling for full accountability for all involved in his father's death.
The case has prompted calls for reform and heightened scrutiny of the correctional system, with New York Governor Kathy Hochul expressing outrage over the incident. The state has initiated proceedings to dismiss several officers and a nurse involved in the attack, and Fitzpatrick continues to prosecute related cases, including a similar incident at another facility.