It’s déjà-vu all over again, but this time it appears the grand jury erred in failing to indict New York City police officer Daniel Pantaleo for his role in the death of Eric Garner, a black Staten Island man who was detained last July on a street corner on suspicion of selling loose cigarettes and subsequently died.
A viral video of the confrontation between Garner and police prior to and including the attempts to subdue him reveals plainly that the man, who suffered from asthma, said repeatedly, “I can’t breathe.” The “chokehold” tactic used to subdue him, moreover, is frowned upon by the NYPD.
An investigation by a police internal affairs unit led ultimately to the firing of two members of the force. Four emergency workers were suspended in addition.
Reactions here are based entirely on the news and details of the story, including the fact the medical examiner ruled the death a homicide. Until the specifics of the grand jury findings are released, I am just spit-balling, but my early gut tells me this is wrong.
