Eric Garner: federal grand jury hears evidence to determine civil rights violation

http://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2016/feb/11/eric-garner-federal-grand-jury-hears-evidence

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Federal prosecutors presented evidence to a Brooklyn grand jury on Wednesday, to determine whether a civil rights violation occurred in the death of Eric Garner, the unarmed black man who died in July 2014 after being placed in a chokehold by an NYPD officer, reports said.

In December 2014, a Staten Island grand jury declined to indict the police officer, Daniel Pantaleo, sparking protests across New York City.

The same night, then-US attorney general Eric Holder announced a federal investigation into “potential civil rights violations” around Garner’s death. The creation of the Brooklyn grand jury was first reported by the New York Daily News.

Prosecutors are looking to determine whether Garner’s civil rights were violated by Pantaleo, who put Garner in a chokehold while attempting to arrest him for allegedly selling loose cigarettes. Part of the incident was captured on video, footage in which Garner can be heard saying “I can’t breathe” 11 times.

The New York medical examiner ruled Garner’s death a homicide.

Two officers who were at the scene were called before the grand jury on Wednesday, according to the Daily News and the New York Times, which said a prosecutor from the Justice Department’s civil rights division, Forrest Christian, was set to take part in the case.

Pantaleo was stripped of his gun and badge, but is still with the NYPD on modified assignment.

Garner’s daughter, Erica, said she would hold a press conference online on Thursday.

Reverend Al Sharpton, who has been campaigning on behalf of Garner’s family, said they did not know the grand jury was investigating.

“This is what we called for over the last year and a half, including the big rally we had on the one-year anniversary of Garner’s death in front of Eastern District Court,” Sharpton told the Daily News.