The death of Staten Island man Eric Garner, who died after an NYPD officer placed him in an apparent chokehold during an arrest last month, has been ruled a homicide, the medical examiner said according to the New York Daily News.
The New York City Medical Examiner's office announced Friday that compression of the neck and "prone positioning during physical restraint by police" killed the 43-year-old. The cause of death is homicide, the medical examiner said.
"Thank God the truth is finally out," Esaw Garner, the victim's widow, told the newspaper of the examiner's decision. "Thank God for that."
Asthma, high blood pressure and obesity were also listed as factors contributing to Garner's death.
Garner was outside a Staten Island beauty salon in the Tompkinsville neighborhood on July 17 when police approached him on suspicion of selling untaxed cigarettes. Video of the incident taken by a witness shows an officer placing his arm around Garner's neck as plainclothes officers tackle the 350-pound man to the ground.
"I can't breathe," the father of six is heard saying as the officer has him in what appears to be a chokehold, according to the video obtained by the Daily News.
New York Police Department policy prohibits officers from placing people in chokeholds.
The officer who reportedly placed his arm around the victim's neck, Daniel Pantaleo, has since been stripped of his badge and placed on desk duty as Staten Island prosecutors investigate the deadly arrest, the Daily News reported.
The Department of Justice said Friday it is keeping track of the city's investigation into the incident and will take over the case only if it is ruled a hate crime, CBS News reported. Garner is black and the Pantaleo is white.
Another officer was also placed on desk duty. Four emergency workers suspected of not helping Garner after he apparently passes out have been suspended without pay, CBS News reported.
