CBS New YorkNEW YORK (CBSNewYork) — A grand jury is expected to decide soon whether to indict a police officer in the death of Eric Garner.
The grand jury began hearing evidence in the case on Sept. 29. Staten Island District Attorney Daniel Donovan asked New Yorkers to be patient ahead of the decision.
“The grand jury has been diligently listening to evidence and we await their decision,” he said.
Garner, a father of six, died in July after being placed in an apparent chokehold by Officer Daniel Pantaleo. Garner was being arrested for allegedly selling loose, untaxed cigarettes.
In cellphone video of the incident, Pantaleo is seenplacing his arm around Garner’s neck and then taking him to the ground after Garner refuses to be handcuffed.
Garner is heard saying repeatedly, “I can’t breathe!” He died a short time later.
The New York City Medical Examiner’s office ruled Garner’s death a homicide, caused by the officer’s apparent chokehold as well as chest and neck compressions and prone positioning “during physical restraint by police.”
An independent forensic investigator hired by the Garner family also agreed with the medical examiner’s findings.
Law experts predict the grand jury will consider charges that include manslaughter, criminally negligent homicide and reckless endangerment against Panteleo.
Twelve of the 23 jurors need to be in agreement for any charges to be filed.
“My client’s nervous,” Pantaleo’s attorney, Stuart London, told CBS2. “(He’s) gratified the grand jurors took the time to listen to his testimony. He realizes his fate is in their hands.”
Police Commissioner Bill Bratton said Tuesday that extra police officers will be on hand on Staten Island for the decision in Garner’s death.
“We, as you might expect, are planning accordingly,” Bratton said.
Last week, thousands marched across Manhattan protesting the grand jury decision not to indict Officer Darren Wilson in the shooting that killed Michael Brown in Ferguson, Missouri.
Protesters blocked an entrance to the Lincoln Tunnel and shut down the Queens-Midtown Tunnel, and also completely blocked traffic on the FDR Drive and the West Side Highway.
The NYPD is vowing they will take action is any Garner protests get out of hand.
“We have to balance their rights with the rights of the other 8 1/2 million New Yorkers,” said NYPD Chief of Department James O’Neill.
“If we think public safety is compromised, police will act assertively to address that problem.” Mayor Bill de Blasio said.
The controversy surrounding Garner’s death prompted the NYPD to buy body cameras for its officers, who began training with the equipment this week.
I’m a white guy, but watching the cop choke him out, pisses me off. Choke holds are illegal. Therefore the death resulting from a chokehold should be murder. That tattoed up little man needs some serious time in Bubba paradise to reflect on his moves.
yeah, yeah, yeah….. is there anyone who DOESN’T know what the grand jury decision will be?
The dog-and-pony show is getting boring. Bring out the guillotines for the next act.