Almost one year to the day after 46-year-old Eric Garner was killed after being placed in an illegal chokehold by an NYPD officer, the slain father’s family has reached a $5.9 million settlement with the city of New York.
New York City Comptroller Scott Stringer made the announcement today.
“While we cannot discuss the details of this settlement and the city has not admitted 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 died on July 17, 2014 in Staten Island after he was approached by NYPD officers who accused him of selling illegal cigarettes. As he was placed under arrest, Officer Daniel Panteleo put him in an illegal chokehold. Witness video shows the violent takedown as Garner, who was asthmatic, said “I can’t breathe” 11 times. He was taken to a nearby hospital, where he later died. In December, a grand jury declined to indict Officer Panteleo.
Garner’s family filed a $75 million lawsuit against the city in October, and they are still demanding justice in Garner’s death, which a medical examiner ruled a homicide.
“This does not represent justice,” said Garner’s daughter, Erica, at a press conference earlier today. “We are calling on the Department of Justice and Loretta Lynch to deliver justice for my father.”
The family, along with Rev. Al Sharpton, is still pushing for charges against Officer Pantaleo.
“Eric Garner and the community have not received justice,” Sharpton said at the press conference. “Money is not justice.”