ONEIDA COUNTY, N.Y. — The Times Union is reporting that New York State is seeking to shield itself from being sued over the death of Robert Brooks.

According to the report, State Attorney General Letitia James’ Office filed a motion aiming to place the liability solely on the prison guards accused of killing Brooks. Her office is seeking to shield the state and the Department of Corrections Commissioner from the lawsuit that Brooks’ family filed.

Bodycam footage shows guards beating Brooks, a Greece man incarcerated at Marcy Correctional Facility in Oneida County, in a medical exam room back in December. He died in the hospital the next day and 10 guards have been indicted.

The lawsuits against those guards are still in motion, in addition to criminal prosecution. In total, six guards are charged with second-degree murder, three are charged with manslaughter, and one is charged with evidence tampering.

RELATED:

• ‘He deserved to live’; Family files lawsuit in death of Robert Brooks and shares memories (Jan. 15)
• AG’s Office aims to withdraw from defending corrections officers in four lawsuits (Jan. 27)
• Former inmate speaks out about prison violence after video of Robert Brooks’ beating released (Jan. 8)
• ‘This killing must be a catalyst for change’: Robert Brooks’ son speaks out at rally (Dec. 31)
• Local faith leaders demand accountability, systemic changes after inmate dies after beating (Dec. 30)
• ‘Heartbroken’: Prison reform advocate calls Marcy Correctional Facility video ‘dehumanizing’ (Dec. 30)
• ‘Completely inexplicable’: Family attorney reacts to body cam video of Robert Brooks’ beating in prison (Dec. 28)