Prominent Attorney Benjamin Crump Taking on Robert Brooks’ Wrongful Death Suit
Renowned civil rights attorney Benjamin Crump has agreed to represent the estranged son of Robert Brooks, in an estate case involving his father who died under controversial circumstances at Marcy Correctional Facility.
The son, who declined to have his name published at this time, reportedly reached out to Crump over the weekend asking him to take on the case. According to sources close to the family, Crump formally accepted the representation and plans to come to Rochester in the next few days to commence his investigation.
Crump, often referred to as “Black America’s Attorney General”, is a towering figure in the field of civil rights law and is known for his relentless advocacy on behalf of victims of injustice. Over the years, he has represented families in some of the most significant civil rights cases in recent history, including those of Trayvon Martin, Michael Brown, George Floyd, and Breonna Taylor.
Crump’s work often focuses on holding powerful institutions accountable and shedding light on systemic inequities within the justice system. He has built a reputation not only for his legal acumen but also for his ability to amplify cases that demand national attention.
The case has gained additional complexity in recent days, two other individuals claiming to be children of Robert Brooks have emerged.
“We don’t know yet if these claims are legitimate. As far as we knew there were only two children,” a source close to the family said. “These other individuals coming forward leaves questions."
Brooks’ death has sparked widespread outrage and calls for accountability. The 43-year-old died on December 10, following a violent encounter with correctional officers at Marcy Correctional Facility in Oneida County, New York.
Body-worn camera footage released by the New York Attorney General's Office shows Brooks, handcuffed and seated in a medical examination room, being subjected to a brutal assault by multiple officers. The footage, which lacks audio due to the officers' failure to activate the recording devices properly, depicts officers striking Brooks repeatedly in the face, torso, and groin
A preliminary examination determined the cause of death as "asphyxia due to compression of the neck."
Governor Kathy Hochul has announced the termination of 13 correctional officers and a nurse involved in the incident. Additionally, the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and the Department of Justice have initiated investigations into Brooks' death.
Brooks’ father and other immediate family members are being represented by Elizabeth Mazur, a partner attorney at Hughes Socol Piers Resnick & Dym, Ltd., a prominent law firm based in Chicago. Mazur has a well-established reputation for handling complex litigation and advocacy for marginalized communities.
Mazur has represented some significant cases including a local case regarding Daniel Prude, a Black man who died in March 2020 following an encounter with Rochester police officers during a mental health crisis; and the case of Hannah Finnegan, a Chicago case highlighting issues related to prisoners' rights and the treatment of individuals in custody.
Crump was previously scheduled to come to Rochester for an unrelated town hall event addressing the “educational crisis in our schools”. The event is sponsored by Charter Champions, an advocacy organization for Charter Schools.
Details are as follows:
Saturday January 18, 2025 from 1-3pm—Mt. Olivet Church, 141 Adams St 14608. The event is free to the public but attendees are encouraged to register at http://www.charterchampions.org
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