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After days of deliberation, jurors reached a verdict in the murder trial of three former officers from Marcy Correctional Facility in Utica. On Monday (October 20), the jury convicted David Kingsley of second-degree murder and first-degree manslaughter for his role in the brutal beating death of inmate Robert Brooks last December. However, Kingsley's co-defendants, Matthew Galliher and Nicholas Kieffer, were acquitted of all charges.
The case centered around the fatal assault on Brooks, who was handcuffed and shackled at the time of the attack. Body-worn camera footage captured the incident, showing Kingsley putting his hands around Brooks's neck and lifting him during the deadly assault. According to The Guardian, the footage was crucial in securing Kingsley's conviction.
Special prosecutor William Fitzpatrick, who called 12 witnesses during the trial, described the officers as a "gang" and highlighted their attempt to deactivate their cameras, not realizing they continued recording. Fitzpatrick noted that a federal investigation is ongoing, and the United States attorney may pursue further action against the acquitted officers.
Following the verdict, Kingsley's bail was revoked, and he was taken into custody. He faces a potential sentence of 25 years to life in prison, with sentencing scheduled for December. Meanwhile, another officer is set to go on trial for manslaughter in January, as reported by 13WHAM.
Brooks's family expressed mixed feelings about the verdict, acknowledging the conviction of Kingsley but voicing disappointment over the acquittals of Galliher and Kieffer. They plan to continue advocating for prison reform in New York, urging Governor Kathy Hochul to sign legislation mandating fixed cameras in common areas of prisons to prevent future abuses.