An ex-prison guard in New York was found guilty of killing a restrained inmate, while two others were cleared of any criminal responsibility, according to reports. Former guard David Kingsley was convicted of murder and manslaughter in the death of inmate Robert Brooks, CNY Central News reported.
Mathew Galliher and Nicholas Kieffer were found not guilty of all the criminal charges brought against them. Both men had been charged with gang assault, and Kieffer was also charged with falsifying records.
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Video shows fatal encounter at state correctional facility
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Hudson v. McMillian (1992) established that prison officials violate the Eighth Amendment when they use excessive force against an inmate, even if the inmate suffers only minor injuries.
In December 2024, Brooks’ death was caught on video, and the New York Attorney General’s Office made it public. The video shows eight staff members from the state Department of Corrections and Community Services, the agency that runs prisons in New York, punching, kicking and grabbing Brooks. The incident happened right after Brooks arrived at Marcy Correctional Facility, a state prison.
Brooks, 43, died from his injuries.
Brooks had been serving a sentence for first-degree assault since 2017, when he was convicted of stabbing his ex-girlfriend. He was transferred that night from a nearby prison.
Defense argued actions did not warrant charges
The defense argued that while Kieffer and Galliher were involved, their specific actions weren’t criminal and that their clients’ individual actions did not justify the serious charges, CNN reports. According to both the lawyers and body-camera video, Kieffer used pepper spray on Brooks; Galliher put ankle shackles on Brooks; and Kingsley lifted Brooks by the neck.
In February, 10 prison guards were indicted in relation to the death of Brooks. Six were charged with murder, and five later pleaded guilty to first- or second-degree manslaughter instead of murder. Another guard pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor charge of attempted tampering with physical evidence.
Another corrections officer, Michael Fisher, is facing a charge of second-degree manslaughter. His trial is scheduled to begin in January 2026.
