Prominent Attorney Benjamin Crump Joins Wrongful Death Case of Robert Brooks
Renowned civil rights attorney Benjamin Crump, often referred to as “Black America’s Attorney General,” has agreed to represent the estranged son of Robert Brooks in a wrongful death lawsuit. Brooks, 43, died under controversial circumstances at Marcy Correctional Facility in Oneida County, New York.
The son, who has chosen to remain anonymous, reportedly reached out to Crump over the weekend. Sources close to the family confirmed that Crump accepted the case and plans to travel to Rochester in the coming days to begin his investigation.
Crump is a leading figure in civil rights law and is known for representing families in high-profile cases, including those of Trayvon Martin, Michael Brown, George Floyd, and Breonna Taylor. His work focuses on holding powerful institutions accountable and exposing systemic injustices within the legal system.
The case has taken on additional complexity with two individuals recently coming forward, claiming to be Brooks’ children. “We don’t know yet if these claims are legitimate. As far as we knew, there were only two children,” a family source said. “These new claims raise questions.”
Brooks died on Dec. 10 following a violent encounter with correctional officers. Body camera footage released by the New York Attorney General's Office shows Brooks, handcuffed and seated in a medical examination room, being repeatedly struck by officers in the face, torso, and groin. The footage does not include audio because officers failed to activate the devices properly.
A preliminary medical examination determined Brooks’ cause of death to be “asphyxia due to compression of the neck.”
In response to the incident, Gov. Kathy Hochul announced the termination of 13 correctional officers and a nurse. The FBI and the Department of Justice have also launched investigations.
Robert Brooks’ immediate family is being represented by Elizabeth Mazur, a partner at Hughes Socol Piers Resnick & Dym, Ltd., a Chicago-based firm known for handling complex litigation and advocating for marginalized communities. Mazur has previously represented clients in significant cases, including the 2020 death of Daniel Prude during a mental health crisis in Rochester.
Crump’s arrival in Rochester coincides with a previously scheduled town hall event focused on education, hosted by Charter Champions, an advocacy group for charter schools. The event will take place on Saturday, Jan. 18, 2025, from 1–3 p.m. at Mt. Olivet Church, 141 Adams St., Rochester, N.Y. The event is free and open to the public, with registration encouraged at charterchampions.org.
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