Stephen A’s Take: Detailing Robert Brooks’ Murder that was captured on video.

Summary

The Stephen A. Smith Show: Detailed Summary of "Robert Brooks’ Murder Captured on Video" Episode

Release Date: February 23, 2025

In this poignant episode of The Stephen A. Smith Show, host Stephen A. Smith delves deep into the harrowing case of Robert Brooks, a 43-year-old inmate whose tragic death was tragically captured on video. The episode offers a comprehensive examination of the incident, the ensuing legal actions, and the broader societal implications, all delivered with Smith's signature fervor and unfiltered perspective.

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1. Introduction to the Case

[01:02] Stephen A. Smith begins by revisiting the chilling events that unfolded on December 9th at the Marcy Correctional Facility in upstate New York. He underscores the gravity of the situation:

"Robert Brooks was beaten to death while handcuffed. He wasn't just killed, he was tortured on camera." ([01:02])

Smith emphasizes the brutality of the attack, highlighting that Brooks was not only assaulted but also left in a vulnerable state, handcuffed and unable to defend himself.

2. Official Response and Charges

The episode details the swift legal actions taken in response to the incident. Governor Kathy Hochul publicly condemned the actions of the correctional officers involved:

"Robert Brooks should be alive today. The brutal attack on Mr. Brooks was sickening and I immediately moved to terminate the employment of those involved." ([01:17])

Smith outlines the charges brought against six correctional officers, naming them specifically:

• Nicholas Zalone
• David Kingsley
• Anthony Farina
• Christopher Warworth
• Matthew Gallaher
• Unnamed individual

He provides a visual reference, urging listeners to scrutinize the faces of the accused:

"Take a look. Let's pause for a second." ([02:52])

3. Details of the Assault

Through the body cam footage released, the severity of Brooks' treatment becomes undeniable. Smith narrates the events leading to Brooks' death:

"The body cam footage from Dec. 9 shows Brooks with his hands cuffed behind his back at the Marcy Correctional Facility as multiple guards punched and kicked him." ([03:10])

He describes Brooks being attacked on an infirmary bed, his face visibly bloodied, and his subsequent death the following day. The autopsy confirmed homicide, with Attorney Elizabeth Mazor stating:

"Brooks died due to compression of the neck and multiple blunt force injuries." ([03:10])

4. Legal Proceedings and Public Outcry

Smith questions the nature of the charges, expressing his frustration:

"Why isn't it first degree murder? I want to know." ([03:10])

He speculates on the potential sentences, suggesting the gravity of the offense warrants severe punishment, even the death penalty. Smith voices his incredulity at the officers' ability to plead not guilty despite the clear evidence:

"You caught on video, the man is cuffed with his hands behind his back on an infirmary bed and you're beating him to a pulp and you're saying you're not guilty." ([04:39])

5. Systemic Issues and Broader Implications

The discussion shifts to the systemic nature of the abuse, highlighting that 17 employees were implicated, including sergeants and nurses. Smith condemns the coordinated attack:

"It was a coordinated attack, evidently. So these bastards should be under the jail. There's no way that they should get off. No way in hell." ([04:48])

He draws parallels to historical injustices faced by black individuals, invoking memories of past abuses:

"That's what they did to that man. That's what they did to that man. Similar to the kind of things that used to be done to us, which had black folks resembling activists all over this nation." ([06:25])

6. Emotional Impact and Call for Accountability

Smith appeals to the audience's empathy, urging them to envision themselves in Brooks' position:

"Take a moment to ask yourself, what if that had been you?" ([06:33])

He passionately demands accountability for all involved:

"Anybody that was involved needs to go down. Anybody that was involved, that put their hands, their feet, a club or whatever it is on that man, they need to go down. All of them. All of them." ([05:56])

Smith's fervent stance leaves no room for leniency, advocating for lifelong consequences for the perpetrators.

7. Conclusion and Reflection

As the episode draws to a close, Stephen A. Smith reflects on the broader societal issues illuminated by Brooks' case. He emphasizes the necessity for systemic reform and the urgent need to address such heinous acts within the correctional system.

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Notable Quotes:

• "Robert Brooks was beaten to death while handcuffed. He wasn't just killed, he was tortured on camera." — Stephen A. Smith ([01:02])

• "Why isn't it first degree murder? I want to know." — Stephen A. Smith ([03:10])

• "You caught on video, the man is cuffed with his hands behind his back on an infirmary bed and you're beating him to a pulp and you're saying you're not guilty." — Stephen A. Smith ([04:39])

• "Take a moment to ask yourself, what if that had been you?" — Stephen A. Smith ([06:33])

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Key Takeaways:

• The tragic death of Robert Brooks was a result of extreme brutality by correctional officers, captured on body cam footage.

• Six officers have been charged with serious crimes, including second-degree murder and manslaughter, with broader implications for additional staff.

• Governor Kathy Hochul has condemned the incident, promising accountability and immediate termination of the involved officers.

• Stephen A. Smith vehemently criticizes the actions of the officers and the legal proceedings, advocating for severe punishment and systemic reform.

This episode serves as a stark reminder of the urgent need for accountability within correctional facilities and the broader fight against systemic injustice. Stephen A. Smith's impassioned discourse not only informs but also calls listeners to reflect and act against such atrocities.

Transcript

[Greg Rosenthal]

What's up everyone? It's Greg Rosenthal and I'm teaming up with the king of spring, Daniel Jeremiah. He requires me to say that we're going to be bringing you 40s and free agents, the only podcast you'll need this NFL draft season. From DJs, mock drafts to my top 101, free agents will have it covered for you with all new episodes every Thursday keeping you up to date as we head to the NFL Draft. Listen to 40s and free agents starting on March 6th on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts.

[Julie Swerbinks]

What's up everyone? Julie Swerbinks here along with former NHL player Nate Thompson.

[Nate Thompson]

We're doing a new podcast together. Here we go.

[Julie Swerbinks]

The name Energy Line with Nate and jsb.

[Nate Thompson]

Each week we'll get together and talk about hockey life. All topics are fair game, right?

[Julie Swerbinks]

Exactly. And you'll never know who will drop by to join us.

[Nate Thompson]

Julia's pretty well connected. She has text threads going that you wouldn't believe.

[Julie Swerbinks]

Listen to Energy Line with Nate and jsb on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts.

[Stephen A. Smith]

But Robert Brooks was beaten to death while handcuffed. He wasn't just killed, he was tortured on camera.

[Unknown Speaker]

It was caught on video. Where are the arrest? I want names. I want faces that the governor of New York is going to come out and says 13 correctional officers, I want to know all 13. I want their names, I want their faces, I want them on camera. Every one of them. Every one of them.

[Stephen A. Smith]

Welcome back to the Stephen A. Smith show right here with Digital Airways of YouTube and of course iHeartRadio. That was me speaking on December, December 31st. Upon learning about the story that I'm about to reiterate to you right now because in the latest on this story we discussed on this show when it happened in December, murder charges have been announced in the death of Robert Brooks, a 43 year old inmate who was beaten by guards at a prison in upstate New York. Governor Kathy Hochul announced the charges Thursday. In a statement, Hochul said, quote, robert Brooks should be alive today. The brutal attack on Mr. Brooks was sickening and I immediately moved to terminate the employment of those involved, end quote. In a grand jury indictment, six correctional officers were charged with second degree murder and first degree manslaughter. Two of them were also charged with gang assault. The six charged with second degree murder are Nicholas and Zalone, David Kingsley, Anthony Anthony Farina, Christopher Warworth, Matthew Gallaher, and an unnamed person. You See their faces right there. Take a look. Let's pause for a second.

[Unknown Speaker]

Let's look at their faces right now. Every one of them. I don't like the fact that they turned sideways, personally. I want to see them front. I want to see the frontal view, like Anzalone. I want to see who the rest of them are. Why is Kingsley, Farina, Wareth and and Gallaher sideways? That's what I want to know.

[Stephen A. Smith]

But I digress. Seventeen employees, including four sergeants and two nurses were alleged to be involved in the death and were suspended as a result of the incident. Four others were charged in the grand jury indictment in connection with the case on varying charges, including manslaughter and evidence tampering. The body cam footage from Dec. 9 shows Brooks with his hands cuffed behind his back at the Marcy Correctional Facility as multiple guards punched and kicked him. Brooks was on an infirmary bed when the attack occurred, and at one point in the video, his face was visibly bloodied. He was taken to the hospital and died the following day. An autopsy report declared Brooks manner of death was homicide, according to his family's attorney. Attorney Elizabeth Mazor told NBC News that Brooks died due to compression of the neck and multiple blunt force injuries. Second degree murder, aggravated assault, stuff like that. Why isn't it first degree murder? I want to know. I guess when you look at the charges, I mean, they could all be looking at 25 years in prison or whatever. I mean, a man is dead. I wouldn't be. I wouldn't be mad if they got the death penalty. And I don't know how. I'm amazed how they. How folks can plead not guilty. You caught on video, the man is cuffed with his hands behind his back on an infirmary bed and you're beating him to a pulp and you're saying you're not guilty.

[Unknown Speaker]

How, How?

[Stephen A. Smith]

You know this is not police officers, this correctional officers, but law enforcement is law enforcement, right? Unarmed black man is an unarmed black man, right? Was he armed? Wasn't his hands cuffed behind his back? And you literally beat him to death. Obviously there was a whole bunch of people complicit. First we heard 13. Now we hear about six being indicted and then the next thing you know, 17 other folks. It was. I mean, damn. It was a coordinated attack, evidently. So these bastards should be under the jail. There's no way that they should get off. No way in hell. They took him out. Take them out. At least take them off the streets for the rest of their natural lives. They committed murder. What you gonna say, I only punched him twice? The other person punched him five times.

[Unknown Speaker]

Anybody that was involved needs to go down. Anybody that was involved, that put their hands, their feet, a club or whatever it is on that man, they need to go down. All of them. All of them.

[Stephen A. Smith]

You know, when you see stuff like that, because we saw the video.

[Greg Rosenthal]

Just.

[Stephen A. Smith]

Take a moment to ask yourself, what if that had been you? Do you understand when your hands are cuffed behind your back, you don't even have the ability to cover yourself and to shield yourself from the punishment being inflicted upon you. You don't even get to curl up in a ball and cover yourself with protective measures. You don't even get to do that. Do you realize that? That's what they did to that man. That's what they did to that man. Similar to the kind of things that used to be done to us, which had black folks resembling activists all over this nation.

[Greg Rosenthal]

What's up, everyone? It's Greg Rosenthal, and I'm teaming up with the King of spring, Daniel Jeremiah. He requires me to say that we're going to be bringing you 40s and free agents, the only podcast you'll need this NFL draft season. From DJs mock drafts to my top 101 free agents will have it covered for you with all new episodes every Thursday, keeping you up to date as we head to the NFL Draft. Listen to 40s and free agents starting on March 6th on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcast.

[Julie Swerbinks]

What's up, everyone? Julius Rippinks here along with former NHL player Nate Thompson.

[Nate Thompson]

We're doing a new podcast together. Here we go.

[Julie Swerbinks]

The name Energy Line with Nate and jsb.

[Nate Thompson]

Each week we'll get together and talk about hockey life. All topics are fair game, right?

[Julie Swerbinks]

Exactly. And you'll never know who will drop by to join us.

[Nate Thompson]

Julie is pretty well connected. She has text threads going that you wouldn't believe.

[Julie Swerbinks]

Listen to Energy Line with Nate and jsb on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts.