NYPD Officer Not Indicted in Eric Garner Choke Hold Death

 

A grand jury in Staten Island has decided not indict New York City Police Officer Daniel Pantaleo in relation to the death of Eric Garner, a man that Pantaleo was seen on video putting in an apparent choke hold in July, according to city officials and lawyers for Garner's family.

The grand jury's decision means that there will not be criminal charges in the case, but NYPD Commissioner Bill Bratton said earlier today that there may be up to three other investigations into the incident that could lead to a civil case or federal charges.

The grand jury was made up of 23 residents of Staten Island and led by a foreperson. A decision required a majority of the jury -- meaning at least 12 people.

Pantaleo, 29, and his police partner, Justin D'Amico, testified in front of the jury. D'Amico appeared only after being granted immunity from prosecution.

This grand jury decision comes 10 days after a Ferguson, Missouri, grand jury announced that it would not indict Darren Wilson, a white police officer, for fatally shooting Michael Brown, a black unarmed teen. That decision led to violent and destructive protests.

The NYPD has been preparing for the grand jury decision. Without revealing exact numbers of police officers that will be on duty, Bratton said the NYPD "will naturally gear up to deal with any potential contingency that might occur."

"We, as you might expect, are planning accordingly," Bratton said at a news conference on Tuesday.