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A viewer warning, we are going to show you graphic video of the confrontation.
On July 17th, New York City police confronted 43-year-old Eric Garner in Staten Island.
Garner was a low-level street dealer of illegal cigarettes and was not happy to see the police:
ERIC GARNER: “Everybody standing here, they tell you the truth, I didn’t do nothing! I did not sell nothing. Because every time you see me, you want to harass me. You want to stop me. (Inaudible) I’m minding my business officer. I’m minding my business. Please just leave me alone. I told you the last time, please just leave me alone.”
The officers wanted to place handcuffs on Mr. Garner and were initially cautious, but when they moved in, the worst happened:
ERIC GARNER: “Please don’t touch me [bleep]. Don’t touch me. [Bleep]”
[The NYPD officers tackle Eric Garner]
POLICE OFFICER: “Put your hands behind your back.”
POLICE OFFICER: “He’s down, he’s down.”
POLICE OFFICER: “Put your hands around your back.”
ERIC GARNER: “I can’t breathe. I can’t breathe. I can’t breathe. I can’t breathe.”
Eric Garner died at a hospital a short time later, the medical examiner calling his death a homicide, thus the grand jury.
Mr. Garner had a record -- mostly non-violent offenses -- and was out on bail at the time of the confrontation.
New York City police policy is that chokeholds are not allowed, and Mayor Bill de Blasio is clearly on the side of the Garner family.
We will get to that situation in our next segment.
The officer who used the hold, Daniel Pantaleo, was called before a grand jury and testified for two hours. He is now free and clear of any local and state charges, but the feds say they will investigate the case.
Talking Points does not know what happened, and until we read the grand jury transcripts, nobody can know.
But that does not stop some agitators from stirring up controversy.
However, I will say that upon seeing the video and hearing Mr. Garner say he couldn't breathe, I was extremely troubled. I would have loosened my grip. I desperately wish the officer would have done that.
Eric Garner was obese and had asthma; he was in no condition to absorb what befell him.
Yes, he should not have resisted, but all Americans should pity Mr. Garner and his family. He did not deserve that, and I think Officer Pantaleo and every other American police officer would agree with me.
And that's the memo.
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