Utica, N.Y. — A jury found a former New York state corrections officer guilty in the brutal beating death of an inmate last winter in a Central New York prison, while acquitting two other co-defendants.
The 12 jurors found the officer guilty of second-degree murder and first-degree manslaughter in the death of the inmate, Robert L. Brooks.
They returned their verdict at about 10:15 a.m. Monday, following deliberations that started late Wednesday afternoon.
The verdict was:
- David Kingsley was found guilty of second-degree murder and first-degree manslaughter.
- Mathew Galliher was found not guilty of all charges. He had been indicted on charges of second-degree murder, first-degree manslaughter and second-degree gang assault.
- Nicholas Kieffer was found not guilty of all charges. He was indicted on charges of second-degree murder, first-degree manslaughter, second-degree gang assault and first-degree offering a false instrument for filing.
Kingsley faces a maximum of 25 years to life in state prison. He was led out of the courtroom in handcuffs and is scheduled to be sentenced Dec. 16.
The lawyers for Kieffer and Galliher celebrated the verdict after it was read, embracing their clients. The two guards also embraced. Kieffer’s family cried and exclaimed as each “not guilty” verdict for him was read.
A group of prison guards at the Marcy Correctional Facility turned into “a gang of murderers” on the night of Dec. 9, 2024, according to Onondaga County District Attorney William Fitzpatrick.
They launched three attacks on Brooks, Fitzpatrick said, ultimately leading to his death. An autopsy showed injuries to his head, neck, testicles, liver and spleen.
The jurors heard from 12 prosecution witnesses across six days and saw dozens of exhibits. The defense rested without presenting anything to the jury.
The jurors submitted multiple notes to Oneida County Court Judge Robert Bauer throughout their multiple days of deliberations.
They asked to review some evidence and testimony again, as well as to be read back the legal definitions of the charges.
Defense attorneys for Galliher, Kieffer and Kingsley had cast their clients’ decisions as imperfect, made in the moment and not meant to cause harm to Brooks. They also each tried to separate the behavior of their client from the other people on trial or other prison staff involved in the fatal beatings.
Kingsley was represented by public defenders Luke Nebush and Matt Watson. Galliher was represented by Capital District attorney Kevin Luibrand. Kieffer was represented by Utica-area attorneys David Longeretta and Mark Curley.
The three men are only a few of the people charged in the case.
A fourth guard, Michael Fisher, is set to stand trial on his own in January for second-degree manslaughter.
Six other guards have taken deals and pleaded guilty. The longest prison sentence promised to two of these guards was 22 years.
Three more people are facing charges and have agreed to be cooperating witnesses.
Multiple corrections officers repeatedly punched and kicked Brooks in the groin, abdomen and face in the prison infirmary, according to body camera videos that captured the attack. He died hours later at a Utica hospital.
Brooks’ death was ruled a homicide by the Onondaga County Medical Examiner‘s Office. His cause of death was “compression of the neck and multiple blunt-impact injuries,” according to the autopsy report.
Body camera footage was possibly the most crucial evidence in the case.
Axon body cameras captured the beating from multiple angles. Four guards present had their cameras on, but did not activate them to start recording. Unbeknownst to them, 30 minutes of video was passively recorded without audio.
A note last Friday from the jury included a request to review all video showing Brooks in the infirmary, where he suffered the fatal blows.
The footage showed guards brutally punching, kicking and restraining Brooks.
Pleas, sentences for other guards charged in the Brooks case:
- Nicholas Anzalone. He pleaded guilty to first-degree manslaughter. He had been indicted for second-degree murder, first-degree manslaughter and first-degree offering a false instrument for filing. He was promised 22 years in state prison.
- Anthony Farina. He pleaded guilty to first-degree manslaughter. He had been indicted for second-degree murder and first-degree manslaughter. He was promised 22 years in state prison.
- Christopher Walrath. He pleaded guilty to first-degree manslaughter. He had been indicted for second-degree murder and first-degree murder. He was sentenced to 15 years in prison.
- Michael Mashaw. He pleaded guilty as charged to second-degree manslaughter. He was promised 3 to 9 years in state prison.
- David Walters. He pleaded guilty as charged to second-degree manslaughter. He was promised 2 1/3 to 7 years in state prison.
- Robert Kessler. He pleaded guilty to second-degree assault. He was promised 5 to 7 years in state prison.
- Glenn Trombly. He pleaded guilty to second-degree gang assault. He was promised no more than four years in state prison.
Arraignment of 9 prison workers in the death of Robert Brooks
More on Robert Brooks murder trial
- Family of Robert Brooks says former corrections officers acquitted of murder were ‘given a pass’
- Jury to resume deliberations in trial of three guards accused of killing Robert Brooks
- Deliberations continue for 3rd day in Robert Brooks murder trial as jury asks to review videos and testimony
- See closing arguments in Robert Brooks murder trial; jury has the case (video)
- Jury now has the case: Are guards guilty of murdering inmate Robert Brooks?