New York prison guard says he cleaned up blood of fatally beaten inmate in plea

UTICA, N.Y. (AP) — A New York corrections serviceman admitted successful tribunal Wednesday helium cleaned up humor from the fatal beating of an inmate that was captured connected bodycam videos successful an effort to conceal evidence.

Nicholas Gentile pleaded blameworthy to a misdemeanor complaint of attempted tampering with carnal grounds successful the Dec. 9 beating of Robert Brooks astatine the Marcy Correctional Facility. Publicly released video of the assault, which shows officers beating Brooks portion his hands were cuffed down his back, sparked condemnation and calls for reforms.

Gentile, 36, was among 10 guards indicted successful February successful transportation with Brooks’ death. Six officers were charged with second-degree murder. Gentile was indicted connected a felony complaint of tampering with carnal evidence.

Under questioning from the justice and a prosecutor, Gentile acknowledged helium knew astir the battle by chap guards, cleaned up Brooks’ humor and failed to papers it.

Under a plea agreement, Gentile was sentenced to a one-year conditional discharge, meaning helium tin debar situation clip if helium resigns his occupation and obeys the law. He besides waived his close to appeal.

He declined to marque a connection successful court.

One erstwhile serviceman charged with execution successful the assault, Christopher Walrath, pleaded blameworthy to first-degree manslaughter earlier this month.

Three different situation workers person reached agreements but had yet to participate those pleas, according to prosecutors.

Brooks began serving a 12-year condemnation for first-degree battle successful 2017 and was transferred Dec. 9 to Marcy, a situation astir 180 miles (290 kilometers) northwest of New York City.

Special authoritative William Fitzpatrick has said Brooks was beaten 3 times that night, the past of which was the fatal onslaught caught connected bodycam footage. Brooks, 43, was declared dormant the adjacent day.

Fitzpatrick, the Onondaga County territory attorney, besides is prosecuting guards successful the fatal beating of Messiah Nantwi connected March 1 astatine different Marcy lockup, the Mid-State Correctional Facility.