After New York-based law enforcement officials transferred the case of Eric Garner’s death to a new team within the Justice Department, federal prosecutors in the nation’s capital seek to charge Daniel Pantaleo, the NYPD officer responsible for Garner’s death.
According to the New York Post, a source stated that the ruling is “going to happen sooner than later. Washington wants to indict him.” The source also revealed that the decision was inspired after investigators failed to charge Pantaleo. “We already … came to a conclusion which they didn’t like,” the source states. “It’s truly disgraceful what they’re doing.”
The New York Times also adds that FBI agents in N.Y. said a lack of evidence prompted their decision to not file charges against Pantaleo. Their goal was to figure out if Garner’s civil rights were infringed upon by officers. Now, the U.S. Department of Justice will step in.
The 43-year-old’s daughter, Erica Garner, voiced her thoughts on Twitter after news of the case’s transfer.
My offical statement on todays news on the replacement of federal investigators in the investgation of my father eric garner pic.twitter.com/fZ4pO4I22H
— officialERICA GARNER (@es_snipes) October 25, 2016
In 2014, Garner was apprehended in Staten Island for reportedly selling loose cigarettes. Caught on tape by Ramsey Orta, Pantaleo placed Garner in a chokehold, which led to his death. His family settled a wrongful death lawsuit with the city for $5.9 million.
Orta, who was viewed by the public as a target of the NYPD, was recently sentenced to four years in prison for drugs and weapon charges.