Grand Jury to look into death of Eric Garner

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A grand jury will look into the death of Eric Garner, the New York man who died while in police custody last month, the Staten Island District Attorney’s office announced Tuesday.

“New York City deserves an investigation into the Garner case that is fair and complete. We are pleased that with today’s announcement, the legal process is now underway,” Mayor de Blasio said in a statement.

Earlier this month, the medical examiner determined Eric Garner’s death was a homicide that was caused by “compression of his neck (chokehold), compression of his chest and prone positioning during physical restraint by police.”

Choheholds are illegal and banned by NYPD.

Garner’s death led to protests and frustration over police brutality and excessive use of force, particularly from by the NYPD.

On July 17th, Garner was stopped and approached by NYPD for allegedly selling loose, untaxed cigarettes. The incident, caught on a cellphone camera, shows two officers approaching Garner to arrest him. In the video, you can see one officer slowly come behind Garner and then puts him into a chokehold.

Garner’s last words were “I can’t breathe”.

“Based upon the investigation that my office has conducted to date regarding the July 17, 2014, death of Eric Garner, and after a careful review of the recent findings of the Medical Examiner regarding the cause and manner of Mr. Garner’s death, I have determined that it is appropriate to present evidence regarding the circumstances of his death to a Richmond County Grand Jury,” said District Attorney Daniel Donovan Jr. “I assure the public that I am committed to conducting a fair, thorough, and responsible investigation into Mr. Garner’s death, and that I will go wherever the evidence takes me, without fear or favor.”

Officer Daniel Pantaleo, the cop who was seen on video placing Garner in an apparent chokehold, and another unidentified officer were placed on modified reassignment pending the outcome of the case.

Four emergency workers were suspended without pay pending an investigation.