USA-NEW YORK/GARNER N.Y. City must release misconduct records for officer in choke hold case, says judge

Record ID: 149396

  • Title: USA-NEW YORK/GARNER N.Y. City must release misconduct records for officer in choke hold case, says judge
  • Date: 23rd July 2015
  • Summary: NEW YORK CITY, NEW YORK, UNITED STATES (FILE - JULY 14, 2015) (REUTERS) ****WARNING CONTAINS FLASH PHOTOGRAPHY*** REV. AL SHARPTON SPEAKING AT THE PODIUM GWEN CARR, MOTHER OF ERIC GARNER, AT PODIUM ESAW SNIPES-GARNER, WIDOW OF ERIC GARNER, CRYING ERICA GARNER, DAUGHTER OF ERIC GARNER, LEAVING PODIUM NEW YORK CITY, NEW YORK, UNITED STATES (FILE - DECEMBER 3, 2014) (REUTERS
  • Embargoed: 7th August 2015 13:00
  • Keywords:
  • Topics: General
  • Reuters ID: LVA1OF6DKTOOB53BFD7DB8SIH54
  • Aspect Ratio: 16:9
  • Story Text: A state judge has ordered New York City to release a summary of misconduct findings against the police officer who put Eric Garner in a fatal choke hold in a case that added to the national debate on how police deal with minorities.
    In an opinion dated on Friday (July 17), the one-year anniversary of Garner's death, and released publicly late Wednesday (July 22), State Supreme Court Justice Alice Schlesinger granted a freedom of information request from the Legal Aid Society.
    After police sought to question Garner, an unarmed black man, about selling loose cigarettes illegally, Officer Daniel Pantaleo placed him in a choke hold maneuver that is banned by the New York City Police Department. The incident was captured on video and sparked widespread protests.
    Garner's death was ruled a homicide by the city's medical examiner, with asthma and obesity as contributing factors. His gasped last words, "I can't breathe," became a rallying cry for protesters.
    The Legal Aid Society had asked for the number of complaints against Pantaleo that had been substantiated by the Civilian Complaint Review Board, an independent watchdog agency, and for any disciplinary recommendations the board made as a result. The request did not include the substance of the complaints themselves.
    After the board refused, citing state law that protects personnel records from disclosure to avoid backlash against individual officers, the Legal Aid Society sued the city.
    A spokesman for the city's law department said the decision was under review.
    Earlier this month, the city agreed to pay Garner's family $5.9 million to settle a planned lawsuit over his death. The family has called for federal charges against Pantaleo. The U.S. Justice Department announced an investigation into Garner's death after the New York grand jury decided not to file an indictment against Pantaleo.
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