NYPD Internal Memo On Death of Eric Garner Fails To Mention Officer’s Chokehold

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Eric Garner died after being put in an illegal chokehold, a crucial fact officers on the scene seemingly forgot.

An incident that has sparked national outrage on police brutality specifically by New York Police, the New York Daily News reports they got a hold of an internal memo that failed to mention Eric Garner was put into a choke hold and claims Garner — who is seen on a viral video saying he cannot breathe — did not appear to be in “great distress.”

The internal memo was prepared in the immediate aftermath of Garner’s death but before video of the incident went viral.

Rather than note that Garner, despite his cries that he couldn’t breathe, was put in a chokehold and slammed against the sidewalk, Sgt. Dhanan Saminath is quoted describing the police as merely “maintaining control of [Garner]” throughout the arrest. NYPD personnel are prohibited from using a chokehold.

Sgt. Kizzy Adonis also told investigators that “the perpetrator’s condition did not seem serious and that he did not appear to get worse.” At the same time, however, Adonis is also reported as saying she “believed she heard the perpetrator state that he was having difficulty breathing.”

While the officers claimed they were arresting Garner after seeing him allegedly selling a lucy (loose cigarette), witnesses claim that Garner had just broken up a fight and was upset for being arrested over unjustified reasons.

The officer who put Garner in a chokehold was placed on desk duty while the 4 EMT workers who responded to the scene have been suspended without pay.

On Wednesday, family and friends, mourned the Staten Island man who they called the “Gentle Giant” at Bethel Baptist Church in Brooklyn.

The message at the funeral was It Stops Today.

Source : The Salon, NY Daily News