Utica, N.Y. – Four prison guards have pleaded guilty in connection with the death of Robert Brooks, a Black inmate whose brutal beating at Marcy Correctional Facility was captured on bodycam footage. The pleas came two weeks before trial was set to begin for a larger group of guards accused in the incident.
Details of the Guilty Pleas
Two guards facing murder charges, Nicholas Anzalone and Anthony Farina, pleaded guilty to first-degree manslaughter in a Utica court. Both men have resigned since the incident and are set to be sentenced to 22 years in state prison on Nov. 21.
Two additional guards, Michael Mashaw and David Walters, charged with second-degree manslaughter, also pleaded guilty. Their sentences will range as follows:
- Mashaw: 3 to 9 years in prison
- Walters: 2 years, 4 months to 7 years in prison
Both Mashaw and Walters have also resigned from their positions.
Outrage and Family Reaction
The brutal beating occurred on Dec. 9, 2024, while Brooks, 43, was handcuffed. Bodycam footage shows Brooks being struck in the chest with a shoe, lifted by his neck, and dropped.
“It is important to us to see my father’s killers publicly admit what they have done and face severe consequences,” said Robert Brooks Jr., the victim’s son.
Brooks had been serving a 12-year sentence for first-degree assault since 2017 and was transferred to Marcy from a nearby facility on the night he was beaten.
Timeline of Related Pleas
- May 2025: Guard Christopher Walrath pleaded guilty to manslaughter and was sentenced to 15 years in August.
- Another guard pleaded guilty to attempted tampering with evidence and received a one-year conditional discharge.
Ongoing Trials
Four of the 10 guards indicted in February are still scheduled for trial starting Oct. 6, including three accused of murder.
The case is being prosecuted by Onondaga County District Attorney William Fitzpatrick, who is also handling another high-profile guard case involving the fatal beating of Messiah Nantwi on March 1, 2025, at the Mid-State Correctional Facility. Both Marcy and Mid-State Correctional Facilities are approximately 180 miles northwest of New York City.
Conclusion
The guilty pleas mark a step toward justice in a case that drew national attention for the brutality of the beating and the treatment of incarcerated individuals. Families and advocates are emphasizing the importance of accountability and reforms within prison facilities.
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