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NYC chokehold death testimony will not be made public | NYC chokehold death testimony will not be made public |
(35 minutes later) | |
A New York judge has refused to make public the evidence a grand jury heard about the death of a black man held in a police "chokehold". | |
Justice William Garnett said those suing did not make a "compelling and particularised need'' to release the records, which are usually kept secret. | Justice William Garnett said those suing did not make a "compelling and particularised need'' to release the records, which are usually kept secret. |
The jury did not charge Officer Daniel Pantaleo for Eric Garner's death. | The jury did not charge Officer Daniel Pantaleo for Eric Garner's death. |
His death, alongside other similar cases, led to nationwide protests over police brutality. | His death, alongside other similar cases, led to nationwide protests over police brutality. |
Garner was stopped by police for allegedly selling untaxed cigarettes in Staten Island in August and placed in a chokehold by Mr Pantaleo. | Garner was stopped by police for allegedly selling untaxed cigarettes in Staten Island in August and placed in a chokehold by Mr Pantaleo. |
In a witness video, Garner, who had asthma, is heard saying "I can't breathe". A city medical officer later ruled the death a homicide stemming from the effects of the chokehold. | In a witness video, Garner, who had asthma, is heard saying "I can't breathe". A city medical officer later ruled the death a homicide stemming from the effects of the chokehold. |
The New York Civil Liberties Union and other groups who argued for the records' release said there was a need to reconcile the widely watched video of the arrest with the decision not to indict. | The New York Civil Liberties Union and other groups who argued for the records' release said there was a need to reconcile the widely watched video of the arrest with the decision not to indict. |
But Richmond County District Attorney Daniel Donovan said those who testified had an expectation of secrecy, and making their testimony public could damage the credibility of prosecutors in the future. | But Richmond County District Attorney Daniel Donovan said those who testified had an expectation of secrecy, and making their testimony public could damage the credibility of prosecutors in the future. |
In statement on Thursday, Mr Donovan's office said: "We respect and will adhere to Judge Garnett's well-reasoned decision." | In statement on Thursday, Mr Donovan's office said: "We respect and will adhere to Judge Garnett's well-reasoned decision." |
Similar records were released for a Missouri grand jury investigating the death of an unarmed black teenager in Ferguson. | Similar records were released for a Missouri grand jury investigating the death of an unarmed black teenager in Ferguson. |
St Louis County Prosecutor Robert McCulloch released the records, with witness names redacted, after the jury declined to charge Officer Darren Wilson for the killing of Michael Brown, 18. | St Louis County Prosecutor Robert McCulloch released the records, with witness names redacted, after the jury declined to charge Officer Darren Wilson for the killing of Michael Brown, 18. |
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