Just one week after the grand jury to decision not to indict Darren Wilson in the death of Mike Brown, a Staten Island grand jury makes the same call in the July 17 death of 43-year-old Eric Garner. NYPD Officer Daniel Pantaleo – who delivered a deadly chokehold to Garner during an arrest – has been cleared of any charges. NY1 broke the story on Twitter today (Dec. 3). The decision was reportedly reached after months of reviewing evidence, including the video of the incident that went viral.
Sources: Staten Island grand jury decides not to indict officer in #EricGarner Case. Tune to NY1 for the latest. pic.twitter.com/AMKEShaPDh
— NY1 News (@NY1) December 3, 2014
Pantaleo’s choking of Eric Garner made headlines in July when a video went viral online of police apprehending Garner. Officers were arresting him for selling loose cigarettes, when Pantaleo placed his forearm around Garner’s neck for a takedown. He is seen in the video telling the officers that he couldn’t breathe. Chokeholds are a violation of NYPD protocol. “We’re astounded by the outcome of the grand jury process and that after hearing months of evidence and having deliberated that they would find no true bill as to any potential criminal charge,” the Garner family’s attorney told The New York Times. Pantaleo may still face punishment from the NYPD.