A correction officer stomps on the genital area of Robert L. Brooks as other officers hold him down on an infirmary bed at Marcy Correctional Facility on Dec. 9.

Six former correction officers have pleaded guilty for their roles in December’s fatal beating of Robert L. Brooks at Marcy Correctional Facility outside Utica. A handful of others who were on the scene have pleaded guilty to reduced charges and have cooperated with prosecutors. Last week, an Oneida County jury acquitted two former officers and found a third guilty of second-degree murder and manslaughter related to Mr. Brooks' death.

We write today not to question the jury’s verdict but to draw attention to an issue raised by members of the defense, who argued no one who was present for the Dec. 9 brutality should face a criminal charge specifically for their failure to intervene as Mr. Brooks was beaten to death by a gang wearing state-issued........

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