Hochul, lawmakers pan ‘outrageous’ verdict in Robert Brooks murder trial

And two hearings are being held this week by the state Assembly.

Good afternoon — it’s Monday and Diwali.

In today’s CapCon:

• A verdict Monday in the trial over the death of Robert Brooks left Hochul, lawmakers and advocates disappointed and frustrated.

• Another member of the state Assembly says he’s running for Congress.

• The state Assembly has two hearings scheduled for this week in Albany.

• Lawmakers have introduced new bills to commemorate Charlie Kirk, protect users on online marketplaces and ease traffic on Long Island.

• This Week in New York History: The Guggenheim, three ghostly sisters and a Titanic survivor.

Names in today’s CapCon: Robert Brooks, Julia Salazar, Emily Gallagher, Thomas Gant, Micah Lasher, Erik Bottcher, Liam Elkind, Alex Bores, Paul Bologna, Rebecca Kassay, Clyde Vanel

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(Will Waldron/Times Union)

⚖️ Lawmakers, advocates disappointed in Monday’s verdict in Robert Brooks’ trial

When Robert Brooks died following a severe beating by correction officers at Marcy Correctional Facility last December, state lawmakers and advocates immediately called for criminal charges.

That didn’t happen until February, but they were still hopeful that prosecutors would be able to secure convictions against the officers involved because the beating was caught on video, albeit accidentally.

Nine of the officers charged have pleaded guilty to various charges since then, three of whom were able to negotiate reduced charges. Four did not. One of them is scheduled to go to trial in January.

But the trial of the three other officers ended Monday; the jury began deliberating late last week.

One of the officers was found guilty of second-degree murder and manslaughter. The two others were acquitted by the jury, prompting a quick reaction from advocates and elected officials, including Gov. Kathy Hochul.