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A former corrections officer, Christopher Walrath, has been sentenced to 15 years in prison for the beating death of inmate Robert Brooks. Walrath, who pleaded guilty to first-degree manslaughter in May, admitted to placing Brooks in a chokehold, striking him, and lying to investigators. The incident occurred in December 2024 at the Marcy Correctional Facility in Oneida County, where Brooks died after being assaulted by prison officers.
The violent assault, which was inadvertently captured on body cameras that officers believed were turned off, has sparked outrage and calls for reform. Walrath, 36, was initially charged with second-degree murder but accepted a plea deal that reduced his sentence. He will also face five years of supervision upon release.
Walrath is one of two officers who have pleaded guilty in connection with Brooks' death, while five other officers are still undergoing pretrial hearings. The case has highlighted concerns about the treatment of inmates and the need for changes within the prison system.