New York, NY — State Senator Julia Salazar, Chair of the Committee on Crime Victims, Crime and Correction, released the following statement in response to the latest verdict related to the murder of Robert Brooks: 

“While it is noteworthy that former officer David Kingsley has been convicted of murder for his role in killing Robert Brooks, it is outrageous that the two other officers in this trial are able to evade legal accountability for their role in killing Mr. Brooks. 

Today's verdict demonstrates the urgent need to transform our state’s violent prison system. There is deeply inadequate transparency and oversight, and as we see today, violent officers get away with even deadly abuse of incarcerated New Yorkers. The Prison Reform Omnibus Bill that we passed in June must be signed into law by the Governor so that New York can meaningfully improve transparency, accountability, and oversight. We must continue to take action to prevent further lethal violence in New York state prisons.”