A correctional officer indicted in the fatal beating of an inmate at an upstate New York prison admitted in court on Wednesday that he cleaned up the scene after the brutal assault in an attempt to conceal evidence.
Nicholas Gentile, 36, is one of 10 officers indicted in connection with the death of Robert Brooks late last year.
Brooks died at a hospital in Utica on Dec. 9, a day after he was punched, kicked, choked and manhandled by multiple officers at Marcy Correctional Facility — while handcuffed to a medical examination table.
Medical examiners said the 43-year-old died from compression of the neck and multiple blunt force injuries.
Six prison guards were indicted in February on second-degree murder charges in the deadly assault, while four others were charged with lesser crimes.
“The brutal attack on Mr. Brooks was sickening, and I immediately moved to terminate the employment of those involved,” Gov. Kathy Hochul said on Feb. 20, after the indictment was unsealed.
On Wednesday, Gentile told a judge he knowingly cleaned up the victim’s blood after the incident and failed to report it.
As part of the plea agreement, he agreed to a one-year conditional discharge and resignation from the state’s Department of Corrections. He also waived his right to appeal.
On Tuesday, three former Marcy correctional officers also indicted in Brooks’ death — Nicholas Kieffer, Anthony Farina and David Kingsley — rejected their plea deals and will now face trial.
They’re due back in court on June 3.
Last week, Christopher Walrath pleaded guilty to a first-degree manslaughter charge. He’s scheduled to be sentenced on Aug. 4 and faces up to 15 years in state prison.
With News Wire Services
