ROBERT BROOKS’ KILLERS’ TRIAL LIVE BLOG
DAY 5
Former Sgt. Glenn Trombly agreed to testify against fellow officers on trial for murder for killing Robert Brooks. Photo credit: JB Nicholas.
Utica, New York Oct. 14, 2025
10:06PM
Former Sgt. Glenn Trombly has taken the witness stand. Trombly was the sergeant inside Marcy's "emergency room" who stood by while guards under his command killed Robert Brooks. In exchange for his testimony, Special Prosecutor William F. Fitzpatrick promised Trombly a sentence of no greater than 4 years in prison for his plea of guilty to attempted gang assault.
10:19AM
Trombly is testify he supervised the attempted cover-up of Brooks' killing.
"I told them they should get their stories straight," Trombly testified. "I directed them several times to make alterations to their reports to justify the injuries to Mr. Brooks."
10:35AM
Robert Ricks, Brooks' father, has entered the courtroom. Robert Brooks jr. has been inside the courtroom since the start of court at 10:10PM. He's only missed one day so far.
10:41AM
Special Prosecutor William F. Fitzpatrick is having Trombly identify the defendants and the other guards captured in the body-camera video beating and choking Brooks, or standing by while Brooks is beaten and choked. Over defense objection, Judge Robert Bauer allowed the prosecution to submit into evidence a time-synched compilation of the four body camera videos identify each of the defendants and the role in allegedly murdering Brooks.
11:01 AM
David Longeretta, lead attorney for Nicholas Kieffer, is cross-examining Trombly. Trombly says he viewed Kieffer as a level-headed guard who preferred to use pepperspray on inmates instead of beating them. He also testified Christopher Walrath, who hit Brooks first on Dec. 9, is "aggressive." Kessler, he said was a "hot-head." Longeretta is trying minimize Kieffer's role.
11:46AM
Kevin Luibrand, Mathew Galliher's attorney, is cross-examining Trombly. His questions are aimed showing Galliher's limited participation in Brooks' killing. At the end of the day, the video still captured Galliher putting leg shackles on Brooks and pushing him down onto the table.
12:28PM
Luke Nebush, Kingsley's attorney, is now cross-examining Trombly. He gets Trombly to admit he ordered Kingsley to start CPR and then activate their body cameras. Trombly also ordered Kingsley to go with Brooks to the hospital.
12:44PM
Trombly concludes his testimony with one question of re-direct from the special prosecutor. He says what he did that night was "shameful. I regret it. I wish I could change it."
"I knew what I did was wrong," Trombly concludes.
12:51PM
Defense attorneys are now moving to dismiss the prosecution's case on the grounds a murder case has not been proven. These are pro forma motions to preserve the defendant's rights to appeal. They will almost certainly be denied.
12:59PM
The court denies the defendants' motion to dismiss.
1:05PM
The defense rests without calling any witnesses. Judge Bauer asked each of the defendants' individually whether they wished to testify or not.
"Yes I choose not to testify," Galiher stated.
What this means is the defense lawyers are content with pursuing hyper-technical legal arguments on appeal--after they're convicted, which they almost certainly will be.
1:09PM
Judge Bauer dismisses the jury for the day. Closing arguments set for 10:00AM Wednesday followed by the judge's instruction on the applicable law. The jury will probably get the case just before lunch.
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