Grand Jury Refuses to Indict NYPD Cop for Garner Death
- Details
- Category: World News
- Published on Wednesday, 03 December 2014 13:28
- Written by Janet Walker
A New York grand jury has refused to indict the white police officer who, in July, caused the death Eric Garner, a black Staten Island man who was put into an illegal choke-hold and wrestled to the ground.
NYPD Officer Daniel Pantaleo, in the second high profile excessive force case in as many weeks, has been cleared of any wrong doing in the death of Eric Garner, 43, the Staten Island father of two choked to death by New York Police Officers after being detained on a city street.
Initial findings ruled the death a homicide indicting Garner was killed by "the compression of his chest and prone positioning during physical restraint by police," New York Medical Examiner spokesperson Julia Bolcer said.
Media have reported Eric Garner was being detained for selling loose cigarettes on the street.
Raymond Orta, a bystander, videotaped the entire confrontation which lasted more than three minutes which ended with the African American husband and father being jumped by up to four officers as one undercover officer put the asthmatic into a chokehold and remained on Garner's back as he fell to the sidewalk.
Garner was on the ground, repeating "I can't breathe, I can't breathe," which he stated at least four times, while he was handcuffed. He went limp and chaos broke out.
The medical examiner also indicated asthma, heart disease and obesity were contributing factors in Garner's death.
The video also depicts officers horseshoeing the man, surrounding him, attempting to incite him to react backing him into the wall. The 400lb African American, was not cursing, although using his hands to gesture, he did not respond to the threats with retaliation or attempt to flee, or defend himself. a person that needed force and clearly not excessive force to end the confrontation.
In a city accustomed to corruption it remains unclear if protests the size and scope of the recent widespread demonstrations stemming from the grand jury verdict exonerating a white Ferguson, Mo., police officer in the shooting death of black teenager in broad daylight are expected.
This is a developing story.