New York City has reached a settlement with the family of Eric Garner, who died after being put in a choke hold by police on July 17 last year, agreeing to pay US$5.9 million to resolve the claim over his death, city officials said on Monday.
Eric Garner’s death, along with the fatal shooting of an unarmed 18-year-old black man in Ferguson, Missouri, the following month by a white police officer, sparked protests around the US by people outraged over police treatment of African-Americans.
‘FINALITY’
Photo: AP
“No sum of money can make this family whole, but hopefully the Garner family can find some peace and finality from today’s settlement,” New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio said in a statement. “By reaching a resolution, family and other loved ones can move forward, even though we know they will never forget this tragic incident.”
New York City Comptroller Scott Stringer on Monday said the settlement with Garner’s family was “in the best interest of all parties,” adding that the city did not admit liability.
“I believe that we have reached an agreement that acknowledges the tragic nature of Mr Garner’s death, while balancing my office’s fiscal responsibility to the city,” Stringer said in a statement.
Garner’s family had filed a claim in October last year seeking US$75 million in damages. Members of Garner’s family, their attorney and the Reverend Al Sharpton planned to hold a news conference yesterday on the settlement.
Jonathan Moore, a lawyer representing Garner’s family, said the settlement ends litigation against the city.
HOSPITAL SETTLEMENT
A separate settlement was reached with the hospital that employed emergency medical technicians who responded to the scene and did not aid Garner, he said in an e-mailed statement.
The terms of the hospital settlement have not been released.
“We will continue to press for a federal prosecution against the officers involved in the death of Mr Garner,” Moore said.
A grand jury declined to indict then-New York City police officer Daniel Pantaleo, who placed Garner in the choke hold, a maneuver banned by the police department. Video of the incident taken by a bystander became public, stoking anger over Garner’s death.
SPECIAL PROSECUTOR
The settlement comes about a week after New York Governor Andrew Cuomo said he would appoint a special prosecutor to handle investigations when civilians are killed during confrontations with police.
Garner, a 43-year-old father of six, was accused of illegally selling cigarettes on a sidewalk when Pantaleo put him in the choke hold from behind and brought him to the ground with the help of other officers.
The video of Garner’s arrest shows him arguing with officers before Pantaleo put him in the banned maneuver. With officers holding him down, Garner pleaded with them, saying repeatedly: “I can’t breathe.”
The city medical examiner ruled Garner’s death a homicide, finding that officers compressed his neck and chest. Health problems, which included asthma and obesity, were contributing factors in his death, the medical examiner found.
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