Eric Garner Bill Passed by NY State Lawmakers That Makes Chokehold Illegal

*According to the New York Post, the Assembly and Senate passed five bills Monday evening, including one that criminalizes the use of police chokeholds that result in injury or death.
The use of chokeholds by the NYPD had already been banned in 1993.

As CBS News notes, that bill is named for Eric Garner; the Staten Island man who died back in 2014 while in police custody after Officer Daniel Pantaleo body-slammed him, and put him in a chokehold as he shouted out, “I can’t breathe” several times.

Pantaleo was eventually fired. But after a years-long process, a grand jury failed to indict him.

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HU Staff: Kecia Gayle @kecia.kae On Monday, New York State lawmakers began passing a package of police accountability bills along with other criminal justice reforms following nationwide protests over the recent police killing of George Floyd in Minneapolis. ______________________________________________________________ According to the New York Post, the Assembly and Senate passed five bills Monday evening, including one that criminalizes the use of police chokeholds that result in injury or death. The use of chokeholds by the NYPD had already been banned in 1993. ______________________________________________________________ As CBS News notes, that bill is named for Eric Garner; the Staten Island man who died back in 2014 while in police custody after Officer Daniel Pantaleo body-slammed him, and put him in a chokehold as he shouted out “I can’t breathe” several times. Pantaleo was eventually fired. But after a years-long process, a grand jury failed to indict him. The Eric Garner bill would make it so that a police officer who injures or kills somebody while using “a chokehold or similar restraint” can be charged with a Class C felony, which is punishable by up to 15 years in prison. Governor Andrew Cuomo has indicated he will sign the act into law. ______________________________________________________________ Read more at hollywoodunlocked.com ?: Photo Credit: Getty Images ______________________________________________________________ If you have a tip or suggestion, or want to talk to us about this story, Text the word “TIP” to 1-310-388-6463!

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