A federal grand jury convened in Brooklyn on Wednesday to begin hearing evidence in the death of Eric Garner, a Staten Island man who was put into a fatal chokehold by NYPD Officer Daniel Pantaleo outside of a deli in the summer of 2014.
Officers approached Garner that day after the deli owner complained that he was allegedly selling untaxed cigarettes. The fatal arrest was captured on cellphone video, and immediately gained national attention. The medical examiner later determined that Pantaelo's chokehold—which goes against NYPD protocol—factored in Garner's death. In order to indict Pantaleo, prosecutors must show the grand jury that the officer willfully deprived Garner of his civil right to not undergo an "unreasonable" search. There is no guarantee that these proceedings will result in federal charges against the officer.
The federal grand jury is convening more than a year after Pantaleo escaped prosecution by a grand jury at the state level. The no-indictment ruling prompted large protests in NYC and across the country and an internal NYPD review, which is ongoing.
A federal civil rights investigation into Garner's death was also launched—this month's grand jury marks its conclusion.
Two NYPD officers who were present during the fatal arrest testified before the federal grand jury on Wednesday, as first reported by the Daily News. According to the NY Times, Pantaleo will not testify. Instead, the federal grand jury will consider the testimony that Pantaleo gave before the Staten Island grand jury back in 2014.
News of this week's federal proceedings came as a surprise to many, including Garner's widow, Esaw. “I appreciate the news, but no comment," she said.
