ONE OF THE FORMER PRISON GUARDS SERVING TIME FOR KILLING INMATE ROBERT BROOKS NEEDS SPECIAL PROTECTION
FORMER NEW YORK STATE PRISON GUARD CHRISTOPHER WALRATH TRANSFERRED TO NEW JERSEY TO SERVE 15-YEAR MANSLAUGHTER SENTENCE
Former New York State prison guard Christipher Walrath pleaded guilty to first degree manslaughter for killing Robert Brooks at the Marcy Correctional Facility on Dec. 9, 2024. Photo credit: JB Nicholas.
MALONE, NEW YORK June 11, 2026
Not so tough now are you?
Christopher Walrath, one of the 11 former New York State prison guards convicted of crimes in connection with the killing of Robert Brooks at the Marcy Correctional Facility in 2024, has been transferred to an out-of-state prison for his safety.
Walrath's former employer, the New York State Department of Corrections and Community Supervision, transferred him to a prison in New Jersey on May 14.
DOCCS Spokesman Thomas Mailey told The Free Lance News in an email Walrath was transferred because "DOCCS determined that his continued placement in a New York State facility posed significant safety and security concerns for the individual, correctional staff, and the broader incarcerated population."
Walrath is the second former guard convicted of killing Brooks who has been sent to serve his sentence in another state for his safety.
Nicholas Anzalone was exiled to a prison in Maine after DOCCS likewise determined that his presence in New York's prisons created significant safety and security concerns.
Walrath started the fatal attack on Brooks at Marcy on Dec. 9, according to testimony by former guard Robert Kessler, who agreed to testify for Special Prosecutor William J. Fitzpatrick in exchange for a reduced sentence.
Walrath pleaded guilty to first degree manslaughter in 2025 and was sentenced to 15 years in state prison. During his plea, he admitted beating and choking Brooks. He also admitted he attempted to cover-up the killing by failing to report it.
Walrath admitted he did not act alone. He admitted he assaulted Brooks with fellow Correction Officers Kieffer, Kessler and Anzalone outside Marcy’s arsenal--before Brooks was beaten and choked in the infirmary, where he was killed.
Anzalone also pleaded guilty to first degree manslaughter. He was sentenced to 22 years in state prison. Kessler, the cooperating witness, pleaded guilty to gang assault and was sentenced to four years.
In a stunning verdict, Kieffer was acquitted of second degree murder, manslaughter, gang assault and a filing false report in a failed attempt to cover-up the murder--along with former guard Mathew J. Galliher—after a jury trial in 2025.
A total of 11 former guards have been convicted in connection with Brooks' killing. The case broke the "blue wall of silence" that historically ensured immunity to guards who abused and sometimes even killed prisoners.
Walrath's transfer to New Jersey was made possible by the Interstate Corrections Compact.
"The Compact permits participating states to transfer incarcerated individuals under specified circumstances," Mailey, DOCCS spokesman, said.
"Interstate transfers are considered on a case-by-case basis," Mailey explained. "Each transfer decision is made following a review of multiple factors by the involved states to ensure the safety, security, and orderly operation of their correctional systems."
On DOCCS' website, Walrath is officially listed as "out to court" because it's the only designation DOCCS has on its website to reflect that Walrath is not physically in DOCCS' custody while also indicating he remains in custody and continues to serve his sentence.
Meanwhile, people continue to die in New York’s prisons.
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