Reports: Fed Prosecutors Presenting Evidence To Grand Jury In Eric Garner Death
NEW YORK (CBSNewYork/AP) -- Federal prosecutors have begun presenting evidence to a grand jury in the death of Eric Garner, according to published reports.
The grand jury will determine if Garner's civil rights were violated, CBS2 reported.
Garner, who was 43, was stopped on July 17, 2014 outside a Staten Island convenience store because police officers believed he was selling loose, untaxed cigarettes.
A video shot by an onlooker shows Garner telling the officers to leave him alone and refusing to be handcuffed.
NYPD Officer Daniel Pantaleo then placed his arm around Garner's neck to take him down. Garner, who had asthma, is heard gasping "I can't breathe!" 11 times before losing consciousness. He was pronounced dead later at a hospital.
The city medical examiner found the apparent police chokehold contributed to Garner's death, but a grand jury declined to indict the officer in the death.
Garner's death, along with the death of Michael Brown in Ferguson, Missouri, spurred national outcry and protests about police treatment of black men.
Garner's family settled a lawsuit with the city for $5.9 million.
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