The NYPD announced on Thursday that an internal disciplinary process will move forward for two officers connected to the 2014 death of Eric Garner, who was 43 when he died after an arrest on Staten Island that involved a chokehold. The city medical examiner ruled his death a homicide.
According to an NYPD spokesperson, Officer Daniel Pantaleo and Sgt. Kizzy Adonis will face the department’s internal process. The statement said the U.S. Department of Justice told the NYPD a day earlier that it had no objection to the department moving forward, and that the proceedings would begin “in the coming days.”
Pantaleo’s attorney, Stuart London, told CNN that his client is expected to be served with departmental charges within about two weeks. He said that had not happened yet. Pantaleo’s case will be handled by the Civilian Complaint Review Board, while the NYPD Department Advocate’s Office will lead the case against Adonis. Pantaleo has been on desk duty since Garner’s death. Adonis was on modified duty until May and has since returned to full duty, according to reports.
Garner’s mother, Gwen Carr, said the step does not go far enough. In a statement, she said she believes more than two officers were involved and called on the city and the NYPD to release the names of every officer connected to the case and to bring disciplinary charges against all of them. She also said some officers wrote inaccurate reports, which she described as an effort to cover up the force used.
The disciplinary process is separate from any criminal case. A Staten Island grand jury declined to indict Pantaleo in 2014. Neither officer has been found responsible for misconduct in the internal process, which was still to begin when this was reported.
Made to order and shipped to your door.
