The family of Eric Garner, the chokehold victim that died at the hands of the NYPD last summer, has rejected the city’s attempt to shell out $5 million for the wrongful death of the Staten Island resident.
Scott Stringer, New York’s top finance official, offered the grieving Garners the $5million payout in exchange for calling off the lawsuit, according to the New York Daily News.
The family will have to file a lawsuit by Friday – a year since Garner’s death – to keep within the statute of limitations.
Garner, 43, went into cardiac arrest following a struggle with NYPD officers and died in custody after officers tried arresting the 400-pound asthmatic father on suspicion of selling illegal cigarettes.
A federal probe about Garner’s death is being carried out by the Justice Department.
The city has previously paid out millions of dollars because of wrongful death lawsuits.
Garner yelled ‘I can’t breathe’ 11 times before he passed out after being put in a chokehold.
The officer who wrapped his arm around Garner’s neck argued that it was a sanctioned takedown move, not a banned chokehold.
The city’s medical examiner ruled Garner’s death a homicide and found a chokehold contributed to it.
But a Staten Island grand jury declined to indict the officer, prompting street protests.
We will keep you posted on the new developments in this case.
Also See:
Eric Garner’s Widow Rejects City’s Apology After Wrongful Death
