Following a violent assault that has sparked outrage and demands for sweeping reform, former state correction officer Christopher Walrath was sentenced Monday to 15 years in prison for his role in the beatdown death of handcuffed inmate Robert Brooks inside a prison medical ward last year.
Walrath, 36, pleaded guilty to first‑degree manslaughter in May, becoming the first of six corrections officers charged with second‑degree murder in the Dec. 9, 2024 assault at Marcy Correctional Facility.
As part of the plea deal, Walrath admitted to placing Brooks in a chokehold, striking his body and groin, and lying to investigators about his actions. He originally faced a sentence of 25 years to life behind bars…