CBS News is reporting that the grand jury decision over the alleged choking death of Eric Garner by NYPD police officer Daniel Pantaleo is imminent.
The video evidence presented to the grand jury depicts Garner being apprehended by four officers, one of which places Garner in a chokehold that is believed to have killed him.
The video NYPD officers attempting to arrest Garner for selling loose untaxed cigarettes. Garner is shown on the video being non-compliant and asking to be “left alone” in a non-threatening manner, before he is brought to the ground by four police officers and placed in a chokehold by Officer Pantaleo.
The medical examiner has ruled Garner’s death a homicide. Medical examiner spokesperson Julie Bolcer said Garner was killed by, “The compression of his chest and prone positioning during physical restraint by police.” The chokehold is banned under NYPD rules.
Garner’s family has sought out the assistance of federal prosecutors, including U.S. Attorney Loretta Lynch.
Police union officials argue that Garner’s death is the result of his poor health, and not because he was placed in a chokehold by Officer Pantaleo.
The grand jury’s decision is expected to be announced soon.
Read more at CBS News.com
This post was written by Reginald Calhoun, editorial assistant for The Burton Wire. He is a junior Mass Media Arts major at Clark Atlanta University. Follow him on Twitter @IRMarsean.
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