New York Prison Guards Sentenced for Fatal Beating of Incarcerated Man

Four New York state prison guards have been sentenced to prison for their involvement in the fatal beating of Robert Brooks, an incarcerated man who died after being assaulted at Marcy Correctional Facility last December. The violent incident, which was recorded on body-camera footage, has intensified criticism of abuse and misconduct within the state’s correctional system.

The guards—Nicholas Anzalone, Anthony Farina, Michael Mashaw, and David Walters—pleaded guilty shortly before their trial was set to begin. Prosecutors said the video evidence left little room for dispute about what happened inside the facility that night. Anzalone and Farina, initially charged with murder, pleaded guilty to first-degree manslaughter and were each sentenced to 22 years in state prison.

Two other officers received lesser sentences based on their roles in the assault. Mashaw was given a prison term of three to nine years, while Walters received a sentence ranging from two years and four months to seven years. The convictions have renewed public debate about violence behind bars and the need for stronger accountability mechanisms.

Brooks’ death is not an isolated case. Earlier this year, another incarcerated man was fatally beaten at the nearby Mid-State Correctional Facility, and several of the guards involved in that case have already accepted plea deals. Advocates say these back-to-back incidents highlight long-standing problems in New York’s prison system, including inadequate oversight and a culture that allows excessive force to go unchecked.

During the sentencing hearing, Brooks’ family described their grief and anger. His son said that watching the footage of his father’s final moments was “unbearable,” urging the court to deliver justice and prevent similar tragedies in the future. State officials have not yet announced whether they will introduce new reforms in response to the growing public outcry.