First Conviction in Death of Robert Brooks at Marcy Facility

A former corrections officer at Marcy Correctional Facility has pleaded guilty to first-degree manslaughter in the 2024 death of inmate Robert Brooks, becoming the first person convicted in a high-profile case that has ignited scrutiny of New York’s prison system.

Christopher Walrath (left) plead guilty to first-degree manslaughter in exchange for 15 years in prison for the death of inmate Robert Brooks.

Christopher R. Walrath, 36, entered the plea Monday in Oneida County Court, admitting he took part in the brutal assault of Brooks, 43, who died on December 10, 2024—just one day after being transferred to Marcy from Mid-State Correctional Facility.

Walrath confessed to putting Brooks in a chokehold and striking him repeatedly while the inmate was handcuffed and restrained on a medical exam table. He also admitted to violating prison policy and providing false statements during the investigation. In exchange for the plea, Walrath is expected to serve 15 years in state prison, with sentencing set for August.

The prosecution is being led by Onondaga County District Attorney William Fitzpatrick, who was appointed as special prosecutor after the state Attorney General’s Office recused itself. Fitzpatrick called the case emblematic of broader systemic breakdowns, stating, “The reality is that he did nothing. It was ‘Welcome to Marcy, you were trouble over at Mid-State and you’re not going to be trouble here.’ That’s a problem that needs to be addressed now.”

Surveillance footage—without audio—captured officers striking Brooks multiple times while he was handcuffed. An autopsy later determined that he died from compression of the neck and multiple blunt-force injuries. The death was ruled a homicide.

Walrath is among more than a dozen corrections staff members charged in connection with the incident. Six officers are facing second-degree murder charges, and several others have been indicted for gang assault, falsifying records, and official misconduct.

In response to the incident, Governor Kathy Hochul ordered the termination of 13 corrections officers and a nurse. The state also appointed a new superintendent at Marcy and implemented policy reforms, including stricter enforcement of body camera usage and enhanced oversight of use-of-force incidents.

Federal authorities have also launched their own investigation, and additional prosecutions are expected.

Brooks’ death has fueled renewed calls for reform within the New York State Department of Corrections and Community Supervision. Advocates have pointed to a culture of impunity and lack of accountability as contributing factors to the violence.