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One of the six New York correctional officers who were indicted on murder charges in connection to the beating death of Robert Brooks has struck a plea deal with prosecutors.
During a court hearing on Monday (May 5), Christopher Walrath pleaded guilty to first-degree manslaughter as part of a plea deal that effectively nullifies his murder charge, per CNN. The deal includes 15 years in state prison and five years of post-release supervision, though a judge is set to issue his final sentence in August.
Brooks was serving his 12-year assault sentence at the Marcy Correctional Facility when he died on December 10 after being beaten by correctional officers. Body camera footage shows correctional officers repeatedly punching Brooks in the face and groin as he was handcuffed on a medical examination table.
Walrath was one of six prison guards who were previously arraigned on charges of second-degree murder in connection to the fatal beating. Three other prison employees are facing manslaughter charges. A tenth prison staffer was charged with tampering with physical evidence. They have all pleaded not guilty.
During Monday's hearing, Walrath admitted to using a chokehold on Brooks and beating him while he was in the emergency room. He also confirmed that he lied about his use of force.
“You realize that these repeated assaults caused serious physical injury to Mr. Brooks and resulted in his death,” a prosecutor asked, to which Walrath replied, “Yes.”
Brooks’ son, Robert Brooks Jr., said Walrath will soon know what it's like to be on the other side of the prison system as an inmate.
“Now, Mr. Walrath’s life is in the hands of prison officials. This must be a terrifying prospect for him and his family, knowing what staff is capable of, and how little the system values the lives of incarcerated people,” the son said in a written statement. “I pray that Mr. Walrath has the opportunity in prison to rehabilitate himself, and come out a better man. This is what every single person in prison deserves, but it was viciously taken away from my father.”
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