If you offered me six million dollars for my child's life, my wife's life, my neighbor's life, or a stranger's life, I promise you I wouldn't take it.
1
It's 2015, we're the most technically advanced country in the world, possibly in history and cops can't use tasers?
Someone can post something on Instagram or Facebook in America and a few seconds later someone in New Zealand can reply, yet cops can't use tasers to avoid unnecessary deaths?
Someone can post something on Instagram or Facebook in America and a few seconds later someone in New Zealand can reply, yet cops can't use tasers to avoid unnecessary deaths?
1
Truly ironic. Word is, though, fear of tasers can cause things to escalate just as much as the sight of a gun can. It's a possibility of what happened with Walter Scott when he ran, as he lived in a region where tasers are said to be overused. http://www.salon.com/2015/04/14/the_walter_scott_outrage_nobody_is_talki....
Now New York, and its police, can wash their hands of their guilt for having killed Mr. Garner for the horrific crime of selling loose cigarettes. The monetization of everything continues apace, but I am happy to see that a black life is worth at least $5.9 million. (Well, not really. I'm sure the lawyers will wind up with at least half of that.)
If justice were to be served, the family would have received due monetary compensation, and the killers would be behind bars.
If justice were to be served, the family would have received due monetary compensation, and the killers would be behind bars.
2
Citizen kills a cop.....life in prison. Cop kills a citizen..... Not a damb thing is done. He keeps his job and goes on with life. This literally makes me sick. No amount of money could ever compensate for the loss of a loved one. I wouldn't have asked for a dime but demanded that the officers involved go to prison for life.
2
This settlement is hardly in the best interests for the City. Shouldn't that be a consideration?
1
@ suzinne , Bronx
Please explain your statement. That would be a consideration.
Please explain your statement. That would be a consideration.
1
Because it is apparently thought the police union might well "informally call a strike" if the chokehold applying cop were fired, the large civil settlement was made despite no indictment.
The overwhelming fact that the awful incident was camera-captured obviously makes the very big difference.
Justice 21st century American style by way of a prescient witness' telephone camera.
If there weren't the alleged/seemingly plainly incriminating video, I'd think a settlement would've been much less than a almost 6 million.
How would they have ever found a jury unfamiliar with the case and with jurors who'd not seen the infamous digital recording.
The overwhelming fact that the awful incident was camera-captured obviously makes the very big difference.
Justice 21st century American style by way of a prescient witness' telephone camera.
If there weren't the alleged/seemingly plainly incriminating video, I'd think a settlement would've been much less than a almost 6 million.
How would they have ever found a jury unfamiliar with the case and with jurors who'd not seen the infamous digital recording.
3
I'm appalled by the number of people on this thread who blame Eric Garner for his strangulation by the police for an utterly trivial crime - for which, it turns out, there was little or no actual evidence.
This is open bigotry on this thread, and a huge blind spot regarding the actions of the NYPD in this matter - which follows an old pattern of brutalization of suspects and innocent bystanders, very often African Americans, for no good reason.
Some people need to examine their own prejudices - and consider how their attitudes as citizens correlate to - and, in fact, enable - the policies and actions of the police officers empowered to act on those prejudices.
This is open bigotry on this thread, and a huge blind spot regarding the actions of the NYPD in this matter - which follows an old pattern of brutalization of suspects and innocent bystanders, very often African Americans, for no good reason.
Some people need to examine their own prejudices - and consider how their attitudes as citizens correlate to - and, in fact, enable - the policies and actions of the police officers empowered to act on those prejudices.
4
True. Not to justify the south in its racial past and present, but reading some of the comments on this thread is ample evidence that the north has its racists, too, and apparently either quite a few, or they're drawn to this story in that it seems to provide an occasion for their "observations" on black people and their "faults".
3
A.H. try running a business with these quality of life issues outside your door, or being the parent to the kid Mr. Gardner was selling cigarettes to, or the cop he was resisting and being noncooperative with, and finally the New York taxpayer who now has to pay for it. While Officer Pantaleo should have not used a partial chokehold for 13 seconds, and tasered him instead while the uniformed officers moved in, this does not make him a racist or justify the many death threats he receives to this day, which btw are costing taxpayers dearly for the 24/7 protection he receives at his home on Staten Island.
Maybe next time the medics will do their job and try to save a life instead of just standing there doing nothing. That was one of the worst things to watch. Bad enough that a choke hold was used, but those medics should have been fired for making no effort whatsoever to save Eric Garner.
6
So....we settle defensible wrongful death cases with taxpayers' money due to their "national importance" and not their individual facts? And pay 10 times what the case is worth at trial? The deceased passed this life while physically resisting a lawful arrest. Case closed. The "I can't breathe" mantra is nothing more than a Sharptonesque false illusion. If one can't breathe, one can't talk. Anatomy and physiology, Mr. Taxpayer. But the folks in NYC have a comptroller and mayor who just can't wait to spend somebody else's money, excluding knowledgeable lawyers from the decision-making process. Disgraceful, vote-pandering appeasement. Let's raise taxes.
6
Lawful arrest? Please. Where were the untaxed loosies it was stated the man was selling? Of course they do not exist. This was a bogus arrest in line with the shredded documents that were alluded to the other day. So lets drop this nonsense of resisting a lawful arrest. The arrest was bogus and the resistance was minimum but some of the cop lovers here, many of whom are probably cops, think that cops are some sort of on a level higher than the rest of us and we must obey every coppers order even if they are wrong. Now please somebody tell me this arrest wasn't bogus from start to finish, that there was all that much physical resistance by the murderee and that according to our laws and our constitution, at the moment Pantaleo choked the man and slammed his head into the ground 3 times which nobody mentions btw he was innocent. Why was sit necessary if indeed there was a violation more trivial than running a stop sign to handcuff the man. By his very actions, since he had been arrested before, I truly believe in this case Garner did nothing wrong, he was respectful to the officers, he presented no danger to the officers and the bystanders and when he protested mildly, it would have been prudent for the cops perhaps to back down and call for a superior officer who I am sure would have voided this clearly bogus arrest only intended to meet DD quota for the month. I defy anybody to tell me differently.
2
What in the world do police unions have to do with this. The city hires the personnel. If they hired the wrong people, then of course they should be on the hook. If nothing else, it operates on the deep pockets principle of our legal system.
There is no excuse for this murderous behavior of the police that we are seeing over and over again. It's not a matter of individual police behavior at all. It's police department policy, "The Broken Window Policy" that turns even the most minor "illegal" behavior, like breaking a store window or selling cigarettes in the streets, into a crime punishable by death. Meanwhile the real murderers—the tobacco industry—reaps trillions in profits! In fact, in the case of Eric Garner, the police were directly protecting the tobacco industry's sole right to profit off of their product. The role of the police is, first and foremost, to defend the private property belonging to the wealthy at all costs, including human life.
1
The settlement money should be the result of an insurance payout. Bear with me. All Police should be bondable. The insurance premiums should be paid for out of their own wages. Their actions and subsequent misdeeds should be tracked in a database just like consumer credit. A history of inappropriate action should render the cop un-insurable or a few egregious violations should cause his/her premiums to skyrocket just like SR-22 insurance. This would link their riskiness to the public back to their own 'wallet' so to speak.
3
There is only one way to stop the police brutality: a part of the settlement must be paid by a police union.
2
Why none of the cops were indicted is beyond me.
4
@ Saints Fan Houston, TX
You are not alone in wondering about this...
You are not alone in wondering about this...
1
The two commanding officers on the scene Sgt. Kizzy Adoni (who ordered the arrest) and Sgt. Dhanan Saminath (who arrived after Garner was down) were both given immunity from prosecution in exchange for grand jury testimony.
The media did it. An aberration, not the norm. It's why they want to raise the bar in people killed by police. It will distract the public from the ham sandwich indictments that the legal system uses to shake down people who may have done nothing significant but they want in the system. Plead guilty or we will ruin you financially.
@ nobrainer, NJ
Please take into account that it was the "media" that first caught this incident on tape,
Please take into account that it was the "media" that first caught this incident on tape,
5.9 million without a trial? That's how many schools, roads, hospitals, fire houses, environmental protections, infrastructure repairs we are giving up for a drug dealer who wouldn't comply killed by accident?
5
"Take it from the police pension fund." "Killed for selling untaxed cigarettes!"
How would you like it if your co-worker committed a crime & then YOU who did absolutely nothing wrong, had to pay for it out of your retirement fund? All of your hard-earned money being a good subordinate employee suddenly didn't matter and all of your accounts went to zero?
How about if Eric Garner were on your tree-lined street corner selling cigarettes to your teenage kids? Surely you would call the police on him & when they arrived & he refused arrest, surely you wouldn't care how they would go about taking him down, just get him out of your blessed little neighborhood.
But wait, what if you take all of the money from the police pension fund to pay back Eric Garner's family & then try calling the police when someone breaks into your house, tries to rob you, crashes into your car in traffic…. See how may police officers will rush to your aid when you need them, then. Zero. There will be no police officers to protect you or your family or your property or fancy cars.
There are always going to be bad people in this world and we will all have to pay for them one way or another. So thank your lucky stars that people risk their lives every day to protect yours and normally they do a fantastic job. Stop caring about these criminals and start caring about the people who you all call to come save you when you need saving.
How would you like it if your co-worker committed a crime & then YOU who did absolutely nothing wrong, had to pay for it out of your retirement fund? All of your hard-earned money being a good subordinate employee suddenly didn't matter and all of your accounts went to zero?
How about if Eric Garner were on your tree-lined street corner selling cigarettes to your teenage kids? Surely you would call the police on him & when they arrived & he refused arrest, surely you wouldn't care how they would go about taking him down, just get him out of your blessed little neighborhood.
But wait, what if you take all of the money from the police pension fund to pay back Eric Garner's family & then try calling the police when someone breaks into your house, tries to rob you, crashes into your car in traffic…. See how may police officers will rush to your aid when you need them, then. Zero. There will be no police officers to protect you or your family or your property or fancy cars.
There are always going to be bad people in this world and we will all have to pay for them one way or another. So thank your lucky stars that people risk their lives every day to protect yours and normally they do a fantastic job. Stop caring about these criminals and start caring about the people who you all call to come save you when you need saving.
3
Springer should be impeached for approving this settlement!
4
@ Legalbgl Morganville, NJ
I do not share your views. But just for the record, the correct name is Stringer.
I do not share your views. But just for the record, the correct name is Stringer.
1
If the money came out of the pockets of the police officers involved in Eric Garner's death it would be justice. Making the taxpayers pay for the police department's horrific crime is wrong.
Are these police officers still with the NYPD? Were they reprimanded? Did they receive additional training on how not to kill innocent civilians while arresting them? Were they required to apologize to Eric Garner's family in person? Just wondering.
Are these police officers still with the NYPD? Were they reprimanded? Did they receive additional training on how not to kill innocent civilians while arresting them? Were they required to apologize to Eric Garner's family in person? Just wondering.
2
it doesn't matter if the settlement is for $10 billion.
It.Won't.Bring.Eric.Garner.Back.
And that is all that matters to this poor man's family. Period.
It.Won't.Bring.Eric.Garner.Back.
And that is all that matters to this poor man's family. Period.
2
You know a settlement is reached when both sides agree. This was not forced on the Garners, they accepted it. Hopefully this will help them move on someday.
They ought to garnish the NYPD Pension Fund - with a line item call out for "Daniel Pantaleo - Wrongful Death Fee" on each cop's statement. Bet you see real change from within the ranks once they feel the consequence of their actions.
2
Still a sad situation as no money will bring Mr Eric Garner back. So much heart ache and loss of this man. He could have avoided this confrontation, but he must have felt he was being wronged by the Police.
I tell my sons and daughters to comply to Police orders all the time, even if you feel you did nothing wrong, but something must have caught one's attention. Better yet do NOT do anything illegal or suspicious in the eyes of the public. Good behavior and manners will prove truthful in the end.
I tell my sons and daughters to comply to Police orders all the time, even if you feel you did nothing wrong, but something must have caught one's attention. Better yet do NOT do anything illegal or suspicious in the eyes of the public. Good behavior and manners will prove truthful in the end.
1
So you teach your children that basically they must be guilty if stopped because something caught the cop's eye...wow
2
As long as Daniel Pantaleo continues to be a cop, justice has not been served.
1
Should read: "Family of unhealthy overweight man who resisted arrest and died of a heart attack as a result gets $5.9 million from taxpayers" - Garner had been arrested by the NYPD 30 times since 1980 on charges such as assault, resisting arrest, and grand larceny. What a role model.
10
@Sue, Seattle
While you are entitled to your opinion, your lack of compassion is truly unsettling.
While you are entitled to your opinion, your lack of compassion is truly unsettling.
3
Everybody must keep in mind that most of the police killings of unarmed African- Americans/ wrongfully convicted inmates occured under the Bloomberg Administration. When former commissioner Ray Kelly was police commissioner he very rarely or never interacted with the minority community and the pattern of trust started to erode. These cases are extremely sad because once again the taxpayers are RESPONSIBLE for INCOMPETENT or OVERZEALOUS police officers who overstep their boundaries. Commissioner Bratton has the right ideologies by having the cops get out of their patrol cars and becoming acquainted with the communities they serve. Mayor DEBLASIO and Commissioner Bratton can heal the wound that still exists within the MINORITY communities they serve only if there is true: COURTESY, PROFESSIONALISM AND RESPECT; and in the MINORITY COMMUNITIES those three words are lacking big time!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
3
If you want courtesy and respect from the police, you have to stop resisting lawful arrest after threatening an officer.
It's really very simple.
It's really very simple.
9
What has happened to the people of America? Where has our common sense gone? Some commenters say, "I doubt union rules will let the police officers be fired." ALL union rules can be overridden if there is the proper paperwork - AND grass roots demonstrations to change things. Why have we allowed the "militarized blue wall" that we see in communities today? It's common to see up to 10 cops and/or patrol cars rushing to a "crime scene" - no matter how small. Yet Texas just passed a law saying virtually anyone can carry a gun anywhere. What is wrong with us? WE must insist that "policing" returns to protecting US and our communities instead of tryouts for a cop show. WE must insist that the militarization of OUR publicly funded police forces be stopped. WE must insist that we get guns off the streets of America so the good cops will feel safe to do their jobs. WE must restore democracy, civility, reason and safety in America with OUR grassroots action and VOTES.
3
Criminals across New York City will rejoice at the new income stream.
This is what happens when you can give away other people's money without accountability.
This is what happens when you can give away other people's money without accountability.
12
Just an idea. Why not require professional malpractice insurance be purchased by every officer just like every doctor, engineer has to do? If they are negligent, their premiums rise, or they lose the ability to be insured. That way the tax payers are not liable, and officers are covered in case of litigation.
7
This is one of the best ideas I have heard in a long time!! Terrific post! I think if the police had to purchase this malpractice insurance they'd think twice before choking out someone.
1
Outrageous! This in itself is enough not to give de Blasio a second term.
6
Why isn't a police union insurance policy paying for this, instead of the city? Maybe cops will stop using excessive force when their union dues go up to pay the policy premium.
7
Police committing assaults under the color of law is no different from any other criminal assault. But the redress, is to cal authorities responsible for policing the police. If none yet exist, than that's what's missing.
But having the public pay these multi-million dollar payout isn't fair to the tax payers, and defers the day when we have to actually confront the underlying problems that lead to these incidents.
These payouts seem like a friendly scam by agreement between unscrupulous lawyers, shakedown artists like Al Sharpton, and city officials all too eager to buy off "civil unrest".
The phrase "no peace, no justice" is offensive to notions of a common shared community. What gives self-appointed vigilantes the right to harm others when their expectations aren't met? Peaceful protest must be respected, but violent protest cannot.
These incidents may be the result of many factors, but blanket scapegoating of the police makes no more sense than blanket scapegoating of the poor.
The US is a very large country, and the news media highlights and magnifies the most shocking incidents, and turns it all into a kind of reality television. All that's missing, is a musical score.
But having the public pay these multi-million dollar payout isn't fair to the tax payers, and defers the day when we have to actually confront the underlying problems that lead to these incidents.
These payouts seem like a friendly scam by agreement between unscrupulous lawyers, shakedown artists like Al Sharpton, and city officials all too eager to buy off "civil unrest".
The phrase "no peace, no justice" is offensive to notions of a common shared community. What gives self-appointed vigilantes the right to harm others when their expectations aren't met? Peaceful protest must be respected, but violent protest cannot.
These incidents may be the result of many factors, but blanket scapegoating of the police makes no more sense than blanket scapegoating of the poor.
The US is a very large country, and the news media highlights and magnifies the most shocking incidents, and turns it all into a kind of reality television. All that's missing, is a musical score.
3
The first mistake was killing of this man by police officer. The second mistake is giving millions to his family. Instead of teaching cops how to do their job, authorities prefer to waste taxpayers money to cover-up their fails. It's wrong in all ways.
5
This sum will not bring Mr. Garner back to life. But if it does anything to shed a light on the use of extreme bodily force by the Police, which ultimately results in the death of an unarmed citizen -- then it is worth every cent.
2
$6 million is probably less than what it would have cost taxpayers to deal with Eric Garner every time he broke the law, between the cost in lost taxes, the jail time, the court costs, the cost of the police who had to deal with him, the harm he caused to legal businesses that collected taxes on cigarettes, and the medical costs of dealing with smoking - related illnesses caused by Garner's cigarettes. Eric Garner was certainly familiar with the routine of being arrested, and maybe he simply should have gone through with the familiar routine.
11
Tax payer pays -- but the cops go free.
4
The taxpayer funded gravy train has arrived for the family of a known felon who resisted arrest. Only in America.
25
Spectacular. So submit or die? What goes through the heads of these apologists for killer cops? So someone lying down at some protest or another should be shot dead? This is not now and never will be prewar Germany. really
And another family enters multi-millionaire status; thank you, the taxpayer.
15
UNJUST JUSTICE In the case of Earl Garner, while NYC may claim that, by accepting the terms of the wrongful death settlement, the family has been made whole financially, the criminal investigations still underway may yield further charges against the alleged perpetrators who caused his death. Money never buys justice. Jail time for criminals does not bring back the dead. One reason for laws against violence is preventing future violence. In viewing videos available on the Internet of officers engaged in aggressive interactions with prisoners is severely agitated and violent. Such behaviors suggest that the officers are not in full control of their mental faculties, as they are in a "fight or flight" state of mind, so they are unable to access the higher cognitive functions of the prefrontal cortex. The claim of officers in such situations that they feel threatened is valid in describing their level of emotional distress. But as to their ability to make rational, clearly informed, reasonable and fair decisions, neither they nor anybody else can make meet those criteria. That's how the human brains operate. So the training of officers of the peace must include a far better understanding of what constitutes a reasonable use of force, meaning specifically, a well-reasoned decision was involved. Teaching officers stress reduction techniques to be practiced daily with ongoing supervision is one way of increasing reasoned behaviors in potentially dangerous situations.
1
The family of Eric Garner has won the lottery. Criminals are empowered.
So where is this punk cop Daniel Pantaleo? Surely New Yorkers are not still paying this murderer's salary and also paying a suit settlement over a cigarette!
8
An outrageous payment to Al Sharpton and the Garner family. A petty criminal refuses to be arrested and unfortunitly dies as a result of police efforts to subdue him. Selling cigarettes on a street corner could not have been income generating $5.9 million in hundreds of years. Illegal activity is rewarded by actions which can only lead to numerous suits by families whose criminals are complicit in their deaths. Only in New York can this be considered a civil rights issue. How is this just or Progressive?
21
Mr.Sharpton is not being compensated in this case, that is a pathetic lie.
1
I thought that a 'payout' for wrongful death was based on the earning potential of the person that died in that he/she is no longer around to support the family. I don't know what black market prices are charged for a cigarette in NYC, but sounds like it's at least $10,000 for one cigarette?! How is it people can afford to smoke?
Sharpton is extorting the country and should be jailed, but I understand he owes more than $4 million in back taxes; maybe Sharpton can shoulder some of the burden here?
Sharpton is extorting the country and should be jailed, but I understand he owes more than $4 million in back taxes; maybe Sharpton can shoulder some of the burden here?
18
Sorry but that's a ridiculous amount. Eric Garner would never have made that much money for his family had he lived and worked to 90, and he was never going to live that long. This wasn't a state-sanctioned murder, it was an accident, not planned out. Eric Garner's extremely poor health and antagonistic actions contributed to his death. It would make sense for some money to be paid out to his family, possibly a few hundred grand, to tide them over, but this verdict is devoid of logic.
20
I'm pretty old now, Dan. If I were killed in this way, or through a mistaken identity in a botched-address drug raid or such, I guess you'd figure I'm worth a couple thousand. Or maybe not that, as medical expenses might wipe me out. Maybe you should charge my family a thousand or two, just in case. (The monetary value of a life, Dan, is not its real value, and it surprises me that we have fallen so far into a money-is-all society that so many think it is. Too bad, for so many reasons. Too bad.)
1
How about having the Police Union Pension Fund pay these fines!
8
Outrageous, The Mayor should be thrown out of office to allow this settlement to be made. Mr. Garner and all the the other petty law breakers that make NYC the sewer of the U.S. should be banned from the streets. Mr. Garner was nothing more than a petty street criminal. By giving into the African African American community is an insult to the every day hard working New Yorkers of all races. New York City is the most liberal city in America. The police good, bad or indifferent are the best police force in America by far, and I have traveled the world. Mayor deBlasio should be impeached. NYC is going back to the 60's when NYC was the cesspool of America. Please don't make heros out of petty criminals. P.S. I am an ex New Yorker born and raised in Hunts Point, Bronx NY. Go up and see what the Bronx looks like now. Liberal is one thing stupidity is what this settlement is.
15
sewer? cesspool? where are we,on the Honeymooners?
Please cite the legal authority that Mayor de Blasio has to spend $5.9 Million of taxpayer funds to buy off a potential lawsuit. A legal system exists so that an independent forum is provided for adjudication with the interests of both parties represented. When one side becomes both the defendant and the judge the system is rigged to give the appearance of impropriety, whether it be to avoid an embarrassing trial, an alternate way of blaming the cops or simple political pandering with other people's money. Has our one nation of laws become many cities of special deals?
6
I'd like to know how much the family actually received, and if there's any chance that the murderers will finally be indicted. Taxpayers should be outraged about the economics and the politics of this event, if not the morality.
8
Since Eric Garner wasn't murdered, no chance of indictment. He died accidentally, while resisting arrest, due mostly to his terrible health. I know this truth is very difficult to accept, but it's what all the evidence demonstrates.
11
Clearly you are not reading the news. According to this story, Mr. Garner was killed.
4
All Mr. Garner had to do was put his hands behind his back. That's it. He is no saint here. Arrested 31 times, two outstanding warrants he know the routine. But he decided that he should be allowed to break the law. Yes, nobody should die because of selling untaxed cigarettes. I wonder if the city will sue his estate for the taxes he didn't pay on the cigarettes he sold and the tax penalties too, in addition to recouping any entitlement income he gained from the taxpayers of NYC. But he himself is mostly to blame for his death. The city could decide not to back the arresting officers in this case and Pantangelo would be on the hook for the money, where anyone earning a cops salary would come up with 5.9 million I don't know, the city because our Mayor wants the family to get the money will have Corporation Counsel back him and pay it out to the Garner family.
He didn't die on the sidewalk the result of being choked to death by the officer. He died later in the hospital from complications due to his very poor health. Still, a man shouldn't die because of a misdemeanor, no. But a man should follow the law and not resist arrest when he is breaking the law.
This administration is driving the quality of life in this city into the toilet.
I feel sorry for Mr. Garners family especially his children. But perhaps they all should have been more active in changing his lifestyle and work habits and he might still be here today. 5.9 million dollars? I don't think so
He didn't die on the sidewalk the result of being choked to death by the officer. He died later in the hospital from complications due to his very poor health. Still, a man shouldn't die because of a misdemeanor, no. But a man should follow the law and not resist arrest when he is breaking the law.
This administration is driving the quality of life in this city into the toilet.
I feel sorry for Mr. Garners family especially his children. But perhaps they all should have been more active in changing his lifestyle and work habits and he might still be here today. 5.9 million dollars? I don't think so
33
You are right: he should not have died. The cop used a choke hold that was prohibited. Which is worse: selling a loosie -- or applying a choke hold and continue to coke a man after the man says, repeatedly, "I can't breathe"?
11
You keep qualifying your statements about Eric Garner, stating that while he shouldn't die from being arrested for selling loose, untaxed cigarettes, you bring out his record. That has little bearing on the fact that those officers violated procedure and that violation led to Garner's death. Full stop.
The fact that this is official procedure to avoid the chokehold shows that the NYPD have many other ways to subdue a suspect for arrest. Eric Garner still had his rights whether he had prior convictions or not, whether he was resisting or not. All attempts to bring up Garner's record only serve to switch the focus.
The fact that this is official procedure to avoid the chokehold shows that the NYPD have many other ways to subdue a suspect for arrest. Eric Garner still had his rights whether he had prior convictions or not, whether he was resisting or not. All attempts to bring up Garner's record only serve to switch the focus.
25
Rob were you there at the time of incident? You seem to know an awful lot of how Mr. garner died.Enought with the nonsense. If you don't want to be in New York, then move to a more conservative state. Since when is selling loose cigarettes driving quality of life into the toilet. How many cigarette sellers are on your block? I would guess none. How do you know what Mr. Garner's work habits were. Stop with the judgements. You might think in your mind that you are a better man than him, but in fact you are not. Those among us who have no sin cast the first stone. I could bet you cannot cast one stone. Get where I'm coming from?
6
Loose cigs? Garner didn't know where they
came from, how they were made, what they
were made of, and he indiscriminately
sold them to anyone, minor or not. The
autopsy showed that Garner died from the
medical condition brought on because he
sampled the very posion he was selling
to anyone with a buck. He was peddling
emphysema to children like it was
unregulated candy. That was and is a very
real and dangerous crime. Did he deserve
to die, no, but he was killing himself
and many other people and refused to
stop.
came from, how they were made, what they
were made of, and he indiscriminately
sold them to anyone, minor or not. The
autopsy showed that Garner died from the
medical condition brought on because he
sampled the very posion he was selling
to anyone with a buck. He was peddling
emphysema to children like it was
unregulated candy. That was and is a very
real and dangerous crime. Did he deserve
to die, no, but he was killing himself
and many other people and refused to
stop.
17
the coroner ruled homicide. everything else is a lie.
2
How much better that $5.9 million, and all the other millions in settlements, could have been spent on training police officers in aggression control and anger management. How do we shift the blame and focus our outrage on the Police Commissioner and Mayor for letting this murder of citizens continue?
3
If I were the family, I would make sure that Mr. Pantaleo through a civil suit, would never forget the name Eric Garner for the rest of his days. Take a page out of the Ronald Goldman family who made sure OJ Simpson never made a penny off of the murder of their child.
Pantaleo should be fired - no pension, nothing.
Pantaleo should be fired - no pension, nothing.
8
Pantaleo should sue the Garner estate. Had the criminal not vigorously resisted arrest, none of this happens.
What is appalling is that cities everywhere are accountable for such killings by paying huge settlements, but the killers, police officers on the public payroll, are not held accountable and pay nothing. Perhaps the unions should be held accountable; they protect killers and thereby act as enablers of the next killing.
4
Ridiculous. NYC shares some of the responsibility, but so does Mr. Garner. 6 million would be a huge settlement for someone younger (with more future earnings potential--not saying this is how damages should be awarded, only how it is done) who shared zero culpability. Mr. Garner had been cited for the same violation and arrested dozens? of times. He was breaking the law. He resisted arrest. His self-inflicted poor health was a contributing factor. $600,000 not $6 million would be a much more reasonable figure.
11
It needs to be made very clear to police officers during their training, as well as to all public servants, that their decisions and actions affect every citizen of this city. In this and in other cases it has resulted in a huge financial payout that the city cannot easily afford, as well as the further erosion of public trust. This is a short-term, feel-good solution to a larger problem, too typical of the way this and other cities are run.
12
Whether it is Eric Holder not putting financial criminals in jail for their crimes or it is the police union trying to avoid the tough and right thing to do, the ultimate result is a broken and lawless governing system that does not inspire confidence or respect from the citizens. We seem to continue to strive to maintain a consistently corrupt governing system despite its inherent harm to the overall quality of our country. One can only wonder why we think that this practice will not eventually implode?
1
$5.9 million, you say.
It's just the price to doing business with bad cops.
It's just the price to doing business with bad cops.
6
Here comes a vast wave of new sidewalk venders hustling everything from fake Rolexes to untaxed cigarettes to anything that have a price tag on it, and fit on a blanket, or table. You think it was bad in the past? You ain't seen nothing yet.
Get used to waking in the gutter, New York.
Get used to waking in the gutter, New York.
13
Remember the precedent that this case established regarding the illegal use of chokehold in the future, rather than the jury verdict.
1
There is no jury verdict.
I'm confused. I saw the video, and the cop in question used a chokehold on Garner that had been banned years before.
Why isn't this cop on trial for manslaughter?
Why isn't this cop on trial for manslaughter?
6
What the cops did was definitely excessive force and unnecessary (to put it mildly) but if Eric Garner was shot like thousands of innocent people are everyday in this city (including children), there would be nobody to sue. I think $5.9 million is a lot of money, even for a horrible case like this. Is the mother of his other child going to fight his wife for part of this? Probably.
1
There aren't thousands of people shot every day in this city. There's about one person shot every three days, at our peak of murders it was about four every three days. But yeah, there's no way Eric Garner's death justifies a multi-million payout.
1
Send the bill to the PBA.
5
I think the police need to make a distinction between protesting an arrest and resisting an arrest. As long as a suspect is merely protesting, there is seldom a reason to use force. Physically resisting is a whole different thing.
6
In my view, the officer involved should have been criminally charged.
These payments should come out of PBA funds, not the taxpayers. It seems the cops are killing far too many people in situations that could be handled without the use of lethal force. While there is debate about who is to blame, I see the problem as being 95% owned by the police, and I am a former prosecutor. The cops have become far too militarized and far too macho. This needs to end
These payments should come out of PBA funds, not the taxpayers. It seems the cops are killing far too many people in situations that could be handled without the use of lethal force. While there is debate about who is to blame, I see the problem as being 95% owned by the police, and I am a former prosecutor. The cops have become far too militarized and far too macho. This needs to end
11
Excellent points...well said !!!.
Stupid policing mandate. +
Unrepentant career petty criminal. +
Pressured/overzealous police officers.
____________________________________
Outrage + 5.9 million dollars.
Unrepentant career petty criminal. +
Pressured/overzealous police officers.
____________________________________
Outrage + 5.9 million dollars.
2
Well said, the inmates are running the city. Stop it now.
So we as citizens are paying for the crimes committed by an abusive police department. Why not to serve some smidget of justice bring to trial the perpetrators of this horrific crime. Have them convicted and have their wages, pension, homes and any property they might own transfered to the Garner family. Why we? As citizens we are all at the mercy of a broken justice service.
5
In the land where the almighty dollar is king, the beancounters mete out justice.
2
I kind of wonder if the NYPD budgets for these kinds of settlements.
It would have been cheaper to throw those cops in jail.
2
Maybe all such settlements could be split with the city and the police pension fund. We might then see a drop in such reckless conduct by police.
3
You lucky New Yorkers. You get to pay for the bad behavior of one of your bad cops - again. Insurance covers it? You pay for that, too. And lucky, lucky you - you get to pay for the killers posing as cops to remain on the public payroll.
5
These are tough calls, but the mayor and his administration have adopted a policy of making large settlements, often in complicated cases. The $41 million settlement for those who served time in the Central Park jogger case also comes to mind.
The problem is, the city's financial resources are limited. The city doesn't own a magic printing press, and it gets most of its money through taxation of its residents and workers. NYC is already one of the highest cost places to live in the country, by some accountings, the single highest. There is not a whole lot more revenue to be had.
And the the money that is paid in these high profile settlements has to come from somewhere, and like it or not, a lot of it is going to come from city programs that might have benefitted many needy citizens.
Further, Rev. Sharpton's comments not withstanding, these settlements are not only about justice, they are also very much about the money. Well publicized settlements may encourage others, some deserving but others not, to come to the well, in hopes of winning the lottery.
The mayor wants to do the "right thing" but his resources are finite, and he needs to do the right thing for the city as a whole.
The problem is, the city's financial resources are limited. The city doesn't own a magic printing press, and it gets most of its money through taxation of its residents and workers. NYC is already one of the highest cost places to live in the country, by some accountings, the single highest. There is not a whole lot more revenue to be had.
And the the money that is paid in these high profile settlements has to come from somewhere, and like it or not, a lot of it is going to come from city programs that might have benefitted many needy citizens.
Further, Rev. Sharpton's comments not withstanding, these settlements are not only about justice, they are also very much about the money. Well publicized settlements may encourage others, some deserving but others not, to come to the well, in hopes of winning the lottery.
The mayor wants to do the "right thing" but his resources are finite, and he needs to do the right thing for the city as a whole.
15
Very well said Alex. Complicated cases. Tough choices. Unfortunately, the reality is how is NYC going to pay for these settlements?
NYC also settled with 14 Occupy Protesters for $583. Total sum: ~$8.16 millions.
http://www.nytimes.com/aponline/2014/06/10/us/ap-us-occupy-wall-street-s...
NYC also settled with 14 Occupy Protesters for $583. Total sum: ~$8.16 millions.
http://www.nytimes.com/aponline/2014/06/10/us/ap-us-occupy-wall-street-s...
A career criminal resists arrest and gets a multimillion dollar pay out. Sounds look a good gig. I doubt a jury would have been stupid enough to give that much if anything at all. DeBlasio is determined to destroy this city. It might be the only thing he accomplishes while in office. So the word is out...... give the police a hard time and it will end in a huge pay day! Is it any wonder the police don't want to bother enforcing anything anymore?
26
A man resists arrest, dies, and his family gets a multimillion dollar compensation for his death. You did leave out a few facts, td.
As for the police not wanting to bother with enforcing, any police officer who doesn't want to bother to do his/her job should resign from the police force. They should certainly stop turning their backs to anyone with whom they don't agree.
As for the police not wanting to bother with enforcing, any police officer who doesn't want to bother to do his/her job should resign from the police force. They should certainly stop turning their backs to anyone with whom they don't agree.
3
You're aware he's dead, right?
2
The choke hold was prohibited by the NYPD. Garner was not selling loosies that day and was being harassed by the police. The message is: give the police a hard time and they will kill you and get away with it. The man is dead.
5
de Blasio is using tax money to pay off plaintiffs to avoid litigation that would embarrass his administration. It is also clear in this case that de Blasio needs to mend his relationship to NYPD and NYPD certainly loathes the idea of examining their polices, practices, training, and procedures in open court with officers at all levels being subpoenaed to testify.
5
Are the cops who killed him paying this money? If not, this isn't justice.
6
Now New York, and its police, can wash their hands of their guilt for having killed Mr. Garner for the horrific crime of selling loose cigarettes. The monetization of everything continues apace, but I am happy to see that a black life is worth at least $5.9 million. (Well, not really. I'm sure the lawyers will wind up with at least half of that.)
If justice were to be served, the family would have received due monetary compensation, and the killers would be behind bars.
If justice were to be served, the family would have received due monetary compensation, and the killers would be behind bars.
11
This is a hollow victory.
Has the officer been fired? Charged? Reprimanded? Has his pension even been touched?
This sends the message that people are placated with money, not justice. A dangerous precedent to set.
Has the officer been fired? Charged? Reprimanded? Has his pension even been touched?
This sends the message that people are placated with money, not justice. A dangerous precedent to set.
12
he's been assigned to desk duty while the justice department and the nypd internal affairs unit finish their investigations. in any case, his career as a cop is probably over. if he's not fired, he'll never be a street cop again. if he is fired, he most likely will lose his pension, which would not be a lot since he's been on the force less than 10 years.
He was a 350 pound man. He was not cooperating. While Officer Pantaleo should not have used a choke-hold, and used a Taser instead, I still don't get why people don't cooperate when the police are arresting you. It only makes it worse or gets you killed. 5.9 million dollars won't put Humpty Dumpty back together again. Please cooperate with the cops (or plead the 5th) when you are being questioned and detained.
16
well, for one thing, police officers are not given tasers. some sergeants have them.
Tasers often do not work with people as large as this man.
1
I saw the tape; he was arguing, but was polite, addressed the officers as 'Sir." The choke hold was prohibited, but continued even when Garner said -- 12 times -- "I can't breathe."
The cop got away with murder.
The cop got away with murder.
4
The medical examiner's office issued a press releases that listed "neck compression (chokehold" one of several factors that contributed to Eric Garner's death. At a press conference, the police commissioner said Garner died of heart attack in the ambulance carrying him to the hospital. However, press releases and statements made at press conferences are not testimony. We don't know what the medical examiner told the grand jury when asked if the police officer choked Garner to death. The video shows the officer at one point had an armed wrapped around Garner necks, but a chokehold is not a chokehold unless the windpipe is obstructed. (Garner was still talking after the hold was released, which is strange behavior for someone who has been choked to death. The officer maintained it wasn't a chokehold. Was he able to convince the grand jury that he did not choke Garner to death? We don't know because the judge has not released the grand jury testimony. All we know is that the grand jury concluded the officer didn't murder Garner.
10
One, the cop who had his knee on Mr. Garner's back should pay,not the taxpayer.
Two, the number of overweight/physically imposing accused who die due to police brutality is significant, and this should be addressed. The Missouri case was significantly impacted by the size and actions of the accused, and the same for the Garner case. The same goes for Robert Saylor, a white man killed by off-duty deputies hired as security.
Finally, i don't understand why there should be any monetary award when Mr. Garner was resisting arrest.
Two, the number of overweight/physically imposing accused who die due to police brutality is significant, and this should be addressed. The Missouri case was significantly impacted by the size and actions of the accused, and the same for the Garner case. The same goes for Robert Saylor, a white man killed by off-duty deputies hired as security.
Finally, i don't understand why there should be any monetary award when Mr. Garner was resisting arrest.
9
Maybe because he was somebody's grandpa, and the cops choked him to death when he wasn't hurting anybody. I guess the city couldn't count on getting an empathy-free jury in a wrongful death lawsuit.
1
Resisting arrest does not mean the cops are entitled to use a prohibited choke hold -- and continue choking a man who says repeatedly "I can't breathe."
"Over the past five years, the city has spent a total of $428 million on police-related settlements. Still, there are more than 10,000 cases (average settlement: $33,875) listed on the document provided to MuckRock, and it seems likely that most are about what you'd expect". 10/12/14 NY Mag
"There's a widespread pattern in American policing where resisting-arrest charges are used to sort of cover — and that phrase is used — the officer's use of force. Reports from the city's Civilian Complaint Review Board show 40 percent of the 35,000 officers on the force today have never been the subject of a citizen complaint. Another 20 percent have only one. Yet about 1,000 officers have 10 or more complaints. One has racked up 51 complaints". NPR 1/16/15
WNYC analyzed NYPD records and found 51,503 cases with resisting arrest charges since 2009. Just five percent of officers who made arrests during that period account for 40% of resisting arrest cases — and 15% account for almost 3/4 of such cases.
It would not be hard to use stats to identify problematic cops. Those that file excessive "resisting arrest charges" and those with the most brutality charges leveled against them stick out like a sore thumb.
Why not fire this bottom 1% - 5% (350 - 1,750 officers) and save the City close to $100 million in settlement costs per year and send the message that brutality is not OK.
"There's a widespread pattern in American policing where resisting-arrest charges are used to sort of cover — and that phrase is used — the officer's use of force. Reports from the city's Civilian Complaint Review Board show 40 percent of the 35,000 officers on the force today have never been the subject of a citizen complaint. Another 20 percent have only one. Yet about 1,000 officers have 10 or more complaints. One has racked up 51 complaints". NPR 1/16/15
WNYC analyzed NYPD records and found 51,503 cases with resisting arrest charges since 2009. Just five percent of officers who made arrests during that period account for 40% of resisting arrest cases — and 15% account for almost 3/4 of such cases.
It would not be hard to use stats to identify problematic cops. Those that file excessive "resisting arrest charges" and those with the most brutality charges leveled against them stick out like a sore thumb.
Why not fire this bottom 1% - 5% (350 - 1,750 officers) and save the City close to $100 million in settlement costs per year and send the message that brutality is not OK.
17
More free taxpayer money for victims----what's new?
9
Those lucky ducks.
1
I'm glad not a taxpayer in New York city. The thought that my dollars would be used to pay off families of victims of police brutality, combined with the fact that there's nothing I can do about it, is appalling.
3
So the suckers of NYC, I mean the taxpayers of NYC are on the hook for another $5.9 Million, that's on top of the $26 Million they paid out for the convention arrests, and the Millions they paid out for the Central Park Jogger case, and those are just the ones I know about.
So every time the cops commit murder or mess up in some other ways, they are not held accountable, but the taxpayers are. Where is the justice? Time to start taking that lawsuit money of Police pensions. That would change things quick.
So every time the cops commit murder or mess up in some other ways, they are not held accountable, but the taxpayers are. Where is the justice? Time to start taking that lawsuit money of Police pensions. That would change things quick.
10
I'm really sick and tired of my tax dollars paying for the NYPD's dirty deeds. Enough already!!!!
8
I am adamantly against these outrageous big money settlements where lawyers get a huge percentage of this extortion money. We have over 300 million people in this country and lottery style payouts from taxpayer money is a really bad message to the people of the US. Tort reform is way overdue!
9
de Blasio is spending New York's money like a drunken sailor.
Watch for massive budget shortfalls and try holding on to your wallet.
Watch for massive budget shortfalls and try holding on to your wallet.
19
You are exactly right! Every dime should come out of the police officers' pension fund. Until the officers who kill innocent people feel it financially, little will change.
8
How about this: A citizen was murdered in plain sight by members of the NYPD while EMTs looked on. A grand jury refused to indict. What would you have the city do?
7
There is a silver lining:
This is about the (truly thankful) advent of cell phone videos to capture bad cops killing USA citizens. Cell phone videos are game changing. More than any laws and policies ever helped about police brutality.
This is about the (truly thankful) advent of cell phone videos to capture bad cops killing USA citizens. Cell phone videos are game changing. More than any laws and policies ever helped about police brutality.
8
Pay me now, or pay me later.
This country will never move forward in any cultural or moral virtue if we wait for the lawsuits to decide correct behaviors.
And as long as lawyers control the limits of payouts and the costs of legal suits, there will be too much money in the game for people to deflate the monetary balloon.
This country will never move forward in any cultural or moral virtue if we wait for the lawsuits to decide correct behaviors.
And as long as lawyers control the limits of payouts and the costs of legal suits, there will be too much money in the game for people to deflate the monetary balloon.
2
We are seeing the effects of public outcry against police. Baltimore is a perfect example.
Smarter officers will merely respond to radio runs and stand by while non-felony suspects challenge their lawful authority. Body cams will grow in use and the public can see just how many of the next generation cops take more and more of a hands off approach.
Society, and progressives specifically, will never come up with any foolproof solutions to dealing with those Americans who simply spit at all authority.
But in the meantime, our plaintiff oriented society continues to write lottery size checks to family members and their lawyers.
In the end, money cures our grief, right?
Smarter officers will merely respond to radio runs and stand by while non-felony suspects challenge their lawful authority. Body cams will grow in use and the public can see just how many of the next generation cops take more and more of a hands off approach.
Society, and progressives specifically, will never come up with any foolproof solutions to dealing with those Americans who simply spit at all authority.
But in the meantime, our plaintiff oriented society continues to write lottery size checks to family members and their lawyers.
In the end, money cures our grief, right?
4
A man, a human, died at the hands of the police. Did you see the video?
6
Many people don't care how many people police kill or for what reasons. If you talk back to a police officer, that officer is entitled to kill you.
No, it doesn't. But it's the best the rest of us can do.
This is taxable right?
3
Mr. Garner did not deserve to die at the hands of the very people who are our servants to defend us from harm. I wish it didn't work out that way. However, he wasn't exactly cooperating and his insistence to partake in activity that created people who live in his neighborhood to complain about a quality of life issues he was causing, make this a complex tragedy. Perhaps the struggle that led to his death seems senseless, selling cigarettes. But in fairness we need to ask, what sort of neighborhoods do we want to live in? I have a homeless shelter in my neighborhood in midtown, the fights, illegal activity, public urination, loudness all make me want the police to do more to end this illegal behavior. One could say, well he was only urinating, or only drinking a beer, but it isn't that, it's a serious problem. People glommed onto this case for political purposes. I'd like the police to do more to enforce quality of life for those of us who follow the rules. We have rights too, and we pay a lot of money through hard work to live here. Must we put up with this nonsense at the end of each long day at work?
26
So, what you've labored long to say is that it's OK to kill someone for committing a quality of life offense.
6
I agree with MCS's comments 100%. The over reaction of police is, unfortunately, a very common occurence. That said, "quality of life" can become seriously degraded by people who believe the rules (of common courtesy and respect) do not apply to them unless themselves are the victims of such behavior.
The police were wrong in the Eric Garner case, but I sympathize with the people in his neighborhood who were offended by the behavior that was lowering/infringing on the quality of life there. Littering, spitting, urinating, playing loud music in public as well as selling illegal cigarettes or anything else that demeans the area, impacts everyone living there.
Condolences to the Garner family and families around the U.S. who have been victimized by police brutality. Better neighborhoods begin with better behavior. (One can dream, can't they?)
The police were wrong in the Eric Garner case, but I sympathize with the people in his neighborhood who were offended by the behavior that was lowering/infringing on the quality of life there. Littering, spitting, urinating, playing loud music in public as well as selling illegal cigarettes or anything else that demeans the area, impacts everyone living there.
Condolences to the Garner family and families around the U.S. who have been victimized by police brutality. Better neighborhoods begin with better behavior. (One can dream, can't they?)
1
Bingo sir. Obey the law, be considerate to others needs. I want the police to keep me safe and my family secure. Break the law and pay the price. The Garner story is just nonsense. Giving into the so called prejudice issues for the Black community is blackmail.
2
Revenue agents should enforce tax laws. Police should enforce public safety. Everyone who leaves their house breaks the law practically every day. Should we all be handcuffed or hogged down for not cooperating? Of the thousands and thousands of laws legislated by the hyperactive busybodies who run for office, the police should only concern themselves with about 5%, otherwise they become the enemy of the common people rather than their servants.
12
The legal proceedings here suggest that the police were in the wrong but that it is not provable beyond a reasonable doubt that they harmed Mr. Garner on purpose. The chokehold was wrong, pure and simple, but the police may not have choked Mr. Garner maliciously. Most comments here are based on everyone's actions. But the law is also concerned with what was going through everyone's mind. There are no criminal convictions without intent or recklessness. And damages pretty much have to be paid where there is negligence. The discussion of this case would move to a higher level if people turned their attention from the basic facts, which are not much in dispute, to what everyone was thinking as suggested by the facts.
1
You do know that this case never went to trial, right? So your statement that it was "...not provable beyond a reasonable doubt that they [the police] harmed Mr. Garner on purpose..." has no foundation.
4
That is what the failure to indict means, that there was not enough of a chance of proving the elements of the case at trial.
or not thinking at all which a very dangerous mindset for a policeman
Ignorance is not a defense
What were they thinking?
Your turn
Ignorance is not a defense
What were they thinking?
Your turn
1
Every cop must be required to post a $10mil bond to cover trial costs and settlements and/or judgements.
Taxpayers should not be picking up the tab for these murderous, cowboy thugs.
Taxpayers should not be picking up the tab for these murderous, cowboy thugs.
7
Great idea. Now if only the murderous thugs were required to do the same to compensate police officers and innocent New York citizens and visitors when the de Blasio supporting thugs and law breakers attack and murder them.
Garner was not a murderous thug. Sometimes he sold loosies. The cop was not entitled to kill him.
2
Good luck findings cops who will post 10 mill bond.Lets go back to Wild West when law obedience was self enforced
Others have said it in other words, but it's worth repeating: How long are the people of New York going to just put up the money and shut up and pay for the costs of the evil thugs who lurk among New York's Finest and besmirch the reputation of a police force which is, for the most part, one of the best in the world?
14
the evil thugs are the democrat gangsters who ordered the cops to kill people for not paying cigarette taxes.
the police were merely acting as revenue agents, on orders of the city government.
the police were merely acting as revenue agents, on orders of the city government.
1
If this case were tied up in criminal court, the City couldn't have entered into this settlement at this time. Admitting civil liability when a criminal case is pending improperly influences the criminal case, which always takes precedence. So the Garner family is ahead of the game financially. Psychically, they lack the satisfaction of a guilty verdict. But $5.9 million, timely paid out, can buy a good deal of satisfaction, needless to say.
2
You do not kill someone for resisting arrest for selling illegal cigarettes. Very poor judgement. If you punish them by firing them and take there pensions this behavior will disappear.
8
So the police are free to do as they please because they are protected by taxpayer dollars. What a shakedown! Better than the traditional free apple or doughnut!
7
Shouldn't we also punish the D.A. And the Grand Jury system that investigated and interviewed witnesses before deciding no crime was committed. Why not pass on the bill to them?
What about all those others who conclude that Mr Garner brought on this whole tragedy by choosing to fight cops (for the second week in a row) despite having been arrested 31 times before and warned not to come back? The NYT has ample comments supporting the NYPD in this instance and they 'know where we live' (on line)...
And medical testimony that seems to indicate that the so called 'choke hold' did not, in itself, cause the unforseeable consequence of death. Make them pay too.
Lastly, and let's not forget a community that see's nothing wrong with a condition decried by public and private officials as 'a quality of life' problem (you know; the kind that makes people move away) and/or fighting cops trying to enforce the public will.
What about all those others who conclude that Mr Garner brought on this whole tragedy by choosing to fight cops (for the second week in a row) despite having been arrested 31 times before and warned not to come back? The NYT has ample comments supporting the NYPD in this instance and they 'know where we live' (on line)...
And medical testimony that seems to indicate that the so called 'choke hold' did not, in itself, cause the unforseeable consequence of death. Make them pay too.
Lastly, and let's not forget a community that see's nothing wrong with a condition decried by public and private officials as 'a quality of life' problem (you know; the kind that makes people move away) and/or fighting cops trying to enforce the public will.
7
And if the GJ came down with an indictment then a trial and those juries foudn him not guilty? Then what? Blame them? The family still would have sued for millions and won, I blame the jury who awarded them this crazy amount. And how about some blame on Mr. Garner who was in fact breaking the law.
Actually, that is NOT what the medical report says. The choke hold contribute to his death. Garner said 12 time 'I can't breathe" and the prohibited choke hold continued.
Yeah, sometimes he sold loosies.
Yeah, sometimes he sold loosies.
1
He was arguing with the police -- you don't know if he was selling loosies - -and the choke hold is banned. Come on. Police brutality has to stop -- or the taxpayers will continue to pay.
1
This is the cost of out of control cops.
9
He didn't have to resist arrest. Granted the police took it too far but he was breaking the law and taking business away from the shop keeper who paid taxes on his cigs and rent. Garner had been warned 30 some odd times before to stop what he was doing.
6
This is the cost of a cynical and overly ambitious Comptroller who grossly overpaid a "Wrongful Death" suit. The measure of damages is pecuniary loss to the estate. Selling "loosies" demonstrates Mr. Garner's earning power and the ability to contribute to his distributees, who probably were probably on some form or another of public assistance.
Even if you factor in the possibility of conscious pain and suffering along with political overtones, $5.9 million is way over the top. Mr. Stringer has done this before, short circuiting the process, to build his political reputation as an concerned and caring statesman by overspending tax dollars either to run for reelection or to challenge for the Mayor's job.
His job is to be caretaker of the public fisc, not to be a perpetual candidate.
Even if you factor in the possibility of conscious pain and suffering along with political overtones, $5.9 million is way over the top. Mr. Stringer has done this before, short circuiting the process, to build his political reputation as an concerned and caring statesman by overspending tax dollars either to run for reelection or to challenge for the Mayor's job.
His job is to be caretaker of the public fisc, not to be a perpetual candidate.
4
Word! Springer intends on challenging de Blasio (and hes shrewd has Bella's DNA.
Please listen to the people---we are asking you to fire these police officers. Do it!
6
At least it is understood that something terribly wrong happened.
Now, what about justice in a courtroom? Without that, these types of events will continue - in New York and nationwide. What's being done to ensure there are no more Eric Garner type deaths or abuses in this country ever again? When a bunch of video shows abuse in full living color, but the officers were still not held accountable, something far more important than money has to change!
Where will this money cone from? From the needy? The taxpayers? Other vital programs? Far better for it to come right from the Police Force! Lower salaries, less equipment, pennies pinched in other ways: IT'S ONLY FAIR AND RIGHT!
Now, what about justice in a courtroom? Without that, these types of events will continue - in New York and nationwide. What's being done to ensure there are no more Eric Garner type deaths or abuses in this country ever again? When a bunch of video shows abuse in full living color, but the officers were still not held accountable, something far more important than money has to change!
Where will this money cone from? From the needy? The taxpayers? Other vital programs? Far better for it to come right from the Police Force! Lower salaries, less equipment, pennies pinched in other ways: IT'S ONLY FAIR AND RIGHT!
2
Why is this a civil rights case?
Google it. Depriving some one of their life is a big one
3
Maybe they should have just let him sell some cigarettes.
4
What I find particularly troubling is that Daniel M. Donovan Jr. who was the District Attorney whose office failed to indict the police officers who killed Eric Garner is now A US Congressman.
6
Now,that is a salient point !!!
Here's the plain truth no wants to admit: Every single person on this board and outside of it would have put a man that size in a choke hold if you were a Police Officer trying to arrest him when he was fighting back. It may have been deemed an illegal procedure by the Police Department but how many of you would not go all out when trying to protect your person, your fellow officers, your friends, or your family?
7
I saw the video. I didn't see any fighting back until the choke hold was placed, only verbal resistance. Who would not struggle when they said couldn't breathe, and the choke hold continued. Maybe the police should start using this tactic on BMW drivers who chronically run reds, and then lets see how it is perceived. Because running red lights has the potential of being much more lethal than untaxed cigarets.
4
THAT is not the point.
The point is:the use of excessive FORCE for a non=threatening matter.
The cops have mixed with this man before. Tired of being picked on for the small matter of selling a smoke.
Am I wrong but does not this cop have a record for excessive force ?
A known-bully cop and a resister .
The bully went nuts.
The resister was murdered.
and..................not much happened except a sizable award to the dead man's family.
Case closed.
It should NOT BE.
NOT BY A LONG-SHOT.
The point is:the use of excessive FORCE for a non=threatening matter.
The cops have mixed with this man before. Tired of being picked on for the small matter of selling a smoke.
Am I wrong but does not this cop have a record for excessive force ?
A known-bully cop and a resister .
The bully went nuts.
The resister was murdered.
and..................not much happened except a sizable award to the dead man's family.
Case closed.
It should NOT BE.
NOT BY A LONG-SHOT.
4
Not me and no one I know would kill so callously. The excuse of resisting is morally threadbare thinly veiled code for the lawlessness of the bullies in blue. Some even feel that resisting should be death sentence for "resisting" or " I was afraid there might have been a gun" but all those cellphones have helped blow those lies away. However people who refuse to question "Leos" and slavishly unquestioningly support them, also help illustrate how willing some are to be cattle and turn away hoping it won't be them next...and why this keeps happening
4
The money should be paid by de Blasio. These out of court settlements are a disgrace. Let it go to trial. This mayor loves giving tax payer money to his voting blocs.
12
Many people have said it, but I just want to add another vote: this money should come out of police salaries or the police pension fund. Only when police know that rogue members of their own guild are costing them money personally will they enforce a code of conduct. If all police were docked one month's salary to make this payment, they would police each other. There is no reason why the taxpayers should foot this bill.
12
The system is woefully broken. The cops choked the man to death for allegedly selling cigarettes illegally and resisting arrest. By the logic of the police, if someone is suspected of a crime, the police have the right to put them in a stranglehold and continue choking them if they try to resist the instinctual desire to fight for life. No one is indicted and the investigations have not yet been concluded, yet the City pays the family a fortune for his death. How can this be? Either the cops are deemed to have acted wrongfully and punished and the family compensated or the cops acted properly and there should be no punishment and no compensation. How can the compensation come before the conclusion of all the investigations and/or the trial? Lastly, why does the victim's family get rich - what does that serve? We need to move away from a system where these types of wrongs are committed with impunity by the perpetrators while the victims and their families get rich towards one where the likelihood of the wrongs is minimized and the punishment meted out fairly. I sincerely hope that this and the similar highly publicized cases of police brutality lead to changes in the training and attitude of cops who learn to de-escalate tense situations rather than trying to resolve through brutal force.
4
There's more to come. "A federal inquiry into the killing and several others at the state and local level remain open."
2
If NYC must pay $5.9 million for the horrible police transgressions, why weren't any police punished?
11
There are several undercurrents in these comments that I find profoundly disturbing.
First, to those who begrudge the size of the settlement to be received by the Garner family, I ask: how many of you are willing to sacrifice one of your family members for $5.9 million? (On second thought, I'm not entirely sure want to know the answer to that question).
Second, while it goes without saying that a money settlement can never adequately compensate a family whose loved one's life was wrongfully ended, the fact is that under our legal system, in most cases, money damages are in many cases the only recompense available, irrespective of their ability to truly compensate such a loss. But to invoke that inadequacy as a justification for not paying such damages is highly morally suspect. Inadequate though the remedy may be, it is the remedy available under civil law.
Third, if people are truly disturbed that taxpayers must pay these settlements, then the appropriate focus of your anger should be the behavior of police officers that gives rise to them in the first place. Taxpayers, collectively, are the employers of the police. And as their employers, we (or those representing us) have agreed, as part of collective bargaining negotiations with police unions, to indemnify police officers against direct liability for lawsuits arising from their misconduct. If the settlement amount upsets you, you should demand better conduct and accountability from elected city officials.
First, to those who begrudge the size of the settlement to be received by the Garner family, I ask: how many of you are willing to sacrifice one of your family members for $5.9 million? (On second thought, I'm not entirely sure want to know the answer to that question).
Second, while it goes without saying that a money settlement can never adequately compensate a family whose loved one's life was wrongfully ended, the fact is that under our legal system, in most cases, money damages are in many cases the only recompense available, irrespective of their ability to truly compensate such a loss. But to invoke that inadequacy as a justification for not paying such damages is highly morally suspect. Inadequate though the remedy may be, it is the remedy available under civil law.
Third, if people are truly disturbed that taxpayers must pay these settlements, then the appropriate focus of your anger should be the behavior of police officers that gives rise to them in the first place. Taxpayers, collectively, are the employers of the police. And as their employers, we (or those representing us) have agreed, as part of collective bargaining negotiations with police unions, to indemnify police officers against direct liability for lawsuits arising from their misconduct. If the settlement amount upsets you, you should demand better conduct and accountability from elected city officials.
19
No money can replace a lost family member but the amount of compensations depends on many factors One is wages lost and other is contributing factors like carieer criminal resisting arrest.The case could've given even more or less we will not know If I was on the jury a 600.000 would be the most
If only the US paid such compensation for the families of all African Americans who had been unjustly killed by the police, I am afraid, that the US economy would have ended long ago.
5
We keep hearing the same garbage by the cops and other zealots who have written comments. Garner was resisting a lawful arrest. This is the United States. The police work for us and are no better than any of us. First of all the arrest was most likely bogus as no cigarettes were found. It would have been laughed right out of court. Also did you read of the shredding of e mails in the last few days of the many bogus summonses and arrests cops maode to fulfil quotas. Every one of those bogus arrests and fines should be expunged from the records, the fines returned and the conviction removed. But it wont happen because in this city, when you get a summons from some cop filling his quota, you are assumed to be guilty.
Even if you want to buy into this resisting a lawful arrest which is questionable there has to be a sense of proportionality. These cops probably knew Mr. Garner and were looking for an arrest to meet their qota and knew that while he was a big man, there is nothing in his record to indicate violence was imminent. Given how triial the offense was, if indeed there was an offense, they should have backed off, called a superior officer over and discussed the matter and then simply issued a summons. Citizens have rights and this garbage they have no right to resist an unlawful arrest is just that. There is nobody, even the biggest cop rear end licker in the world, who can justify the actions of Pantaleo, Damico and the rest of them. Indeeed it was criminal
Even if you want to buy into this resisting a lawful arrest which is questionable there has to be a sense of proportionality. These cops probably knew Mr. Garner and were looking for an arrest to meet their qota and knew that while he was a big man, there is nothing in his record to indicate violence was imminent. Given how triial the offense was, if indeed there was an offense, they should have backed off, called a superior officer over and discussed the matter and then simply issued a summons. Citizens have rights and this garbage they have no right to resist an unlawful arrest is just that. There is nobody, even the biggest cop rear end licker in the world, who can justify the actions of Pantaleo, Damico and the rest of them. Indeeed it was criminal
31
Jeff please get your facts straight before you post a comment. The shopkeeper called police because he was taking business away, Garner was selling "loosies" not paying tax and had been warned 30+ times to stop. The shopkeeper pays taxes on said cigs and rent, lots of rent. Garner stands in front of said business conducting illegal activities after being warned; police come he reists, a 350+ pulnd man fighting with cops......not a good mix. Your comments are more than ignorant there was indeed an offense and he knew what he was doing was wrong. He shouldn't have resisted arrest. And yes citizens have rights, the shopkeeper has a right to make a living.......HONESTLY.
2
The point is: the cops do not have the right to KILL someone for arguing - -and that was what I saw Garner doing: arguing. The choke hold was banned -- and continued even when Garner said "I can't breathe." That is criminal.
1
If Governor Cuomo's special prosecutor order is not retroactive, then he needs to appoint another special prosecutor just for the Eric Garner case, or else the officers involved in that atrocity will face neither civil nor criminal penalties for murdering someone.
18
There is no justice in this. How can we pride ourselves on living in a Democracy and being free when the justice system only serves those with power? We are not free.
15
You are not "resisting arrest" if someone is choking the life out of you and you react like anyone else on the planet would react: you try to save your own life.
47
Garner started resisting arrest when he refused to obey a verbal order by a policeman. His death is upon him for putting up a physical struggle which only brought more force down upon him, He might have survived if he hadn't been obese.
1
"You are not 'resisting arrest' if someone is choking the life out of you."
Your chronology is incorrect. Mr. Garner was already resisting arrest; and then when speaking with him did not work, the cops decided to take him to the precinct. That's when one of them tackled him.
Your chronology is incorrect. Mr. Garner was already resisting arrest; and then when speaking with him did not work, the cops decided to take him to the precinct. That's when one of them tackled him.
1
Kay Garner had been told by police on more than one occasion, more like 30+ to stop what he was doing, he decided laws dont' apply to him. He was wrong.
3
Comptroller Stringer has set himself up as Judge and Jury and Corporation Counsel, doling out awards like prizes at a fair. He can give away taxpayers' dollars to set himself up with voting blocks, the way Tammany Hall used to buy votes. The Comptroller's Office attorneys have little to no experience with tort litigation, and they should not be deciding how, when and for how much these cases should be settled.
14
Well stated, and absolutely true.
Likely true regarding his expertise, but if this fellow Kovner is right, then the settlement in this case should have been bigger.
The real question you seem to be dodging is how long the people of New York City are going to put up with the police department protecting bad behavior.
Isn't that what is costing you New Yorkers money?
The real question you seem to be dodging is how long the people of New York City are going to put up with the police department protecting bad behavior.
Isn't that what is costing you New Yorkers money?
2
I wonder how much NYC has paid out in the last 10 years to address these kinds of issues? Something tells me the police unions are not chipping in - and that the officers who create these problems aren't having to be accountable for the financial consequences (of the moral consequence I won't even speak). How much affordable housing, how many parks and after school programs, how many arts and music classes does this represent? I am sure that Eric Garner's family would rather he were alive. And the taxpayers wish he were alive and that the money that had to go to this settlement had gone for things like making New York a better place for his children. It was the right thing to do this - but I wish the money were coming from the unindicted policeman's union coffers. Instead they will keep THEIR money to pay for more political influence. Ironic, doncha think?
37
According to documents obtained via a Freedom Of Information request (https://www.muckrock.com/news/archives/2014/oct/10/nypd-paid-over-428-mi... the City has paid out just under a half billion dollars in police abuse cases the last 5 years
https://emcphd.wordpress.com
https://emcphd.wordpress.com
17
Came here hoping to read this. Thank you.
4
"Something tells me the police unions are not chipping in..."
Your main point is excellent, but where did that come from? The police unions are at the core of the problem, protecting the bad actors.
Your main point is excellent, but where did that come from? The police unions are at the core of the problem, protecting the bad actors.
2
Well, this settlement is better than nothing, if only because it will give Eric Garner's family money to live on. And live on it they must. After all this publicity, in our 'Employment At Will' nation, can any of them realistically expect to get jobs?
What remains outrageous is the fact that when Mr Garner was helpless, cuffed behind his back, face down on the ground and gasping "I can't breathe", NO aid was rendered. Frankly, the officers involved should have been indicted for voluntary manslaughter - and if this sound like the ramblings of some namby-pamby 'liberal', know that these exact feelings were expressed by a radio talk show host who nobody in their right mind could call a 'liberal' - one Michael Weiner, best known by his nom-de-plume Michael Savage. He's one fellow who never criticised a cop who used a gun out of feeling in danger, but such was hardly the case here. And, no matter how much of a health and fitness fanatic you might be, can you seriously justify what's tantamount to the death penalty for selling untaxed cigarettes?
New York City might have bought itself some silence, but at the price of infamy.
What remains outrageous is the fact that when Mr Garner was helpless, cuffed behind his back, face down on the ground and gasping "I can't breathe", NO aid was rendered. Frankly, the officers involved should have been indicted for voluntary manslaughter - and if this sound like the ramblings of some namby-pamby 'liberal', know that these exact feelings were expressed by a radio talk show host who nobody in their right mind could call a 'liberal' - one Michael Weiner, best known by his nom-de-plume Michael Savage. He's one fellow who never criticised a cop who used a gun out of feeling in danger, but such was hardly the case here. And, no matter how much of a health and fitness fanatic you might be, can you seriously justify what's tantamount to the death penalty for selling untaxed cigarettes?
New York City might have bought itself some silence, but at the price of infamy.
21
That's a lotta loosies my friend
An "Employment At Will Nation" is also a "Work At Will nation". I doubt any of them were willing to work before and they definitely won't now. II give them 3 years and the money will be gone.
1
I am glad that Mr. Garner's family will be well-provided for. That said, the sum awarded cannot bring Mr. Garner back and does not mitigate the harm inflicted by misguided policing.
I hope that more sensitive policing will result from Mr. Garner's death.
I hope that more sensitive policing will result from Mr. Garner's death.
16
I am appalled by this. The policemen were doing their job. It was a sad death, but the victim was a criminal, and the city should not have paid a penny. A
20
The chokehold was illegal. Eric Garner was not selling loosies. The cops had no business choking him to death -- even as Gardner said, "I can't breathe" 12 times. 12 times.
17
Eric Garner wasn't committing any crime at the time the police attempted to arrest him, as has already been discussed in the NYTimes.
A building owner called the police about a disturbance and that is why they were there and it chose to confront Garner as he was known to them. To me this is a complete failure of policing. Criminals have a right to life too, and it is not for police to be judge and jury. This guy was no threat, and these officers escalated the situation instead of de-escaltion. These officers ought to be fired and any benefits due them should used to at least partly offset the cost of this payment to the Garner family. Police work is difficult, and obviously far too difficult for these officers. Fire them!
A building owner called the police about a disturbance and that is why they were there and it chose to confront Garner as he was known to them. To me this is a complete failure of policing. Criminals have a right to life too, and it is not for police to be judge and jury. This guy was no threat, and these officers escalated the situation instead of de-escaltion. These officers ought to be fired and any benefits due them should used to at least partly offset the cost of this payment to the Garner family. Police work is difficult, and obviously far too difficult for these officers. Fire them!
8
How much of the 5.9 million will the officer pay who choked Garner to death? Otherwise the payment is punishment to citizens for hiiring and continuing to employ rogue cops. Is that fair?
26
No family should have to endure the anguish and anxiety of a prolonged wrongful death trial. But a part of me thinks that the city should have tried this case (with a guaranteed minimum award to the family) and let all of us learn what happens on the street. Polic protocols must be changed. Despite repeated public police involvement in civilian deaths, it's not happening. Time is up.
7
So what is going on in the mind of Daniel Pantaleo the apparent choke holder? According to another newspaper, he gets police protection and wants to get back to work doing, I suppose, what he did before.
He has apparently also been sued twice. Given what he has done in public and on video, if he was working for a corporation he would have been booted long ago. What in the world holds police to such low standards?
If you have a gun and are allowed to arrest people or even to kill them you should be held to the highest of standards. Don't police care about the poor image of their profession? Have they just given up?
He has apparently also been sued twice. Given what he has done in public and on video, if he was working for a corporation he would have been booted long ago. What in the world holds police to such low standards?
If you have a gun and are allowed to arrest people or even to kill them you should be held to the highest of standards. Don't police care about the poor image of their profession? Have they just given up?
10
He claims he became a cop to help people. Well her certainly helped Garner...right to his grave. Although Im sorry this has become a racisl incident which t wasn't. If a white person weighing over 400 lbs had been at that spot on that day, he would have encountered the same grisly fate. You don't agree? Go back and read about the attack by some other of these animals masquerading as law enforcement on the 82 year old Chinese gentleman on the upper west side. Nothing happened to these so helpful cops either.
3
The lawyer gets $3,000,000 and the relatives get a once in a lifetime bonanza and the victim is dead. Only in the US would money be thrown at a problem with no positive conclusion. Too bad the taxpayers of NY or the Police Union preferably, couldn't cough up some money and create a city park in honor of the deceased. Instead the lawyer will buy a bigger condo and the family will blow their share on who knows what.
16
Does anyone else notice the similarity between police officers and the upper-level employees of banks and other financial institutions. In both cases, whether we call the money handed over by the relevant institution a fine or a civil settlement, the institution, be it a bank or a Wall Street firm, pays someone a whopping big sum of money base upon the wrongdoing committed by the employees of the institution. But unlike what happens if you or I go out and steal money or kill someone, no one gets punished for that wrongdoing in a criminal trial. The policeman who killed Eric Garner in a case labeled by the medical examiner as a homicide does not even go to trial. The employees of the banks and Wall Street firms are never brought before the bar of justice for the milions and millions of dollars they stole from the general public and the ensuing near collapse of the US economy. But if you or I walk into a convenient store and swipe a pack of cigarettes, we can expect to be prosecuted. Seems to me that Lady Justice is certainly blind. Or is it just that she turns a blind eye to the wrongdoing of the privileged members of our society, like misbehaving policemen, bankers, and Wall Streeters?
27
I am glad to hear the family will be spared the ordeal of litigation. I hope the hospital that employed the EMT's who did nothing to help Eric Garner are likewise held to account.
One also hopes that the Justice Department brings charges against the officer who is responsible for Mr. Garner's death as well.
I also am happy t hear thast Mr. Garner's non-marital daughter who is only a year old will also receve a substantial portion of the settlement; it came as a surprise to learn he had an infant daughter at the time of his death.
Esaw Garner and hed children have been the face of his family for the past year. Not sure why it has only recently come to light that he had a babg girl by the name of Legacy.
Last, Scott Stringer is doing a great job as NYC Comptroller. He did the right thing here. Had the Corp Counsel gotten involved aftef a lawsuit was filed, they would have dragged it out until the plaintiffs could not bear it any longer.
It would have eventually settled years later.
One also hopes that the Justice Department brings charges against the officer who is responsible for Mr. Garner's death as well.
I also am happy t hear thast Mr. Garner's non-marital daughter who is only a year old will also receve a substantial portion of the settlement; it came as a surprise to learn he had an infant daughter at the time of his death.
Esaw Garner and hed children have been the face of his family for the past year. Not sure why it has only recently come to light that he had a babg girl by the name of Legacy.
Last, Scott Stringer is doing a great job as NYC Comptroller. He did the right thing here. Had the Corp Counsel gotten involved aftef a lawsuit was filed, they would have dragged it out until the plaintiffs could not bear it any longer.
It would have eventually settled years later.
3
Law enforcement are suppose to *protect and serve*.....NOT MURDER people....it is sad that these people who are supposed to uphold and enforce the laws become a HUGE PROBLEM. The officers *GANGED UP* on this man and he was not even given a chance. They all should have been held responsible and accountable for his death....MONEY does not bring him back.....his family still needs money to live that he would have provided.
9
Are they going to fire the cop? If not, why?
17
Only the bad ones -- like the ones who use illegal chokeholds.
Every time a cop kills someone and is not held to account, all police are emboldened to use deadly force.
Someone must drag a killer cop through the system of justice to make a point to all cops that killing will not be tolerated.
Set an example that will deter cops from their gunslinging ways.
Someone must drag a killer cop through the system of justice to make a point to all cops that killing will not be tolerated.
Set an example that will deter cops from their gunslinging ways.
18
There was insufficient grounds to prosecute for murder but enough evidence of wrongdoing to justify $5.9-million to the family, essentially hush money, without a lawsuit having been commenced. The City of New York didn't defend because police conduct was indefensible but the malefactors in blue get to walk and the truth will be buried.
29
NYPD controls the politicians.
The Mayor said no to 1000 more police and 1300 were hired.
That's showing him.
The Mayor said no to 1000 more police and 1300 were hired.
That's showing him.
4
How was $5.9 million computed?
Since this is a governmental decision, it shouldn't be secret. Let's see the file.
NY Times - are you getting that file?
Since this is a governmental decision, it shouldn't be secret. Let's see the file.
NY Times - are you getting that file?
6
Lots of stuff to think about here. Garner died because he was selling cigarettes. And the only reason he was is because smokes are taxed big in NY. If the cigarette taxes were lower Garner wouldn't have been selling them and he would still be alive. Or if tobacco was just illegal Garner would still be alive and so would lots of other people including my dad. Maybe its all about tobacco.
3
No, he broke the law and resisted arrest. He was in poor health. Stuff happens.
15
@jesse, people who actually see with eyes could see this man was murdered in cold blood by a gang of police officers in public over a nonviolent violation. The death penalty is illegal in New York and so are choke holds. The city is corrupt to the core. De blasio should have cleaned house at the NYPD. De blasio is also a total failure.
6
Ah..Hmm. No. Just no.
Cities will keep paying these amounts or the premiums to pay the insurance to cover them, out of the pockets of taxpayers, until higher standards of training and administration are insisted upon in police forces.
No other profession allows its members to make this sort of expensive, fatal error.
And many other professions have much higher fatality rates for the members of the profession during the course of their career. From pilots, to fishermen, to landscape maintenance manager, there is a greater chance of getting killed on the job, than if you are a police officer.
No other profession allows its members to make this sort of expensive, fatal error.
And many other professions have much higher fatality rates for the members of the profession during the course of their career. From pilots, to fishermen, to landscape maintenance manager, there is a greater chance of getting killed on the job, than if you are a police officer.
11
Because no lawsuit was filed -- only a notice of claim -- there is no account of what happened. This is not some obscure case. The public has an interest in learning all the facts. The City and Mr. Garner's family bargained away our right to know. That is a major disservice. This is not a confidential case where the names of the innocent are protected. Mr. Garner's family is right to do what's best for them. But the City has no right to sweep the facts under the rug.
16
Sending the police out to enforce petty tax law is turning out to be expensive bad policy. A huge judgement. A dead citizen. Loss of respect for the police. Any police chief worth his badge would simply refuse to instruct or even allow his officers to enforce petty revenue laws.
4
Who is supposed to enforce the law??
2
The choke hold is illegal. We don't kill people for selling loosies.
1
Revenue agents. Do police offers collect sales taxes? Do police officers audit your tax return or intervene when they see a merchant not handing over a receipt? Let the taxing authorities collect taxes. They don't depend on the cooperation and tolerance of the local community when breaking up a fight. They don't walk the streets at two in the morning wearing a uniform.
Good for Eric Garner's family! They deserver it. I blame Mayor DeBlasio for urging the police, just prior to the fatal arrest, to strictly enforce a victimless crime, enacted by "progressives," that should never have been illegal: re-selling single cigarettes out of the carton. There is a demand for singles, given the exhorbitant taxes on cigarette packs and cartons, and no one was harmed by Garner's voluntary exchanges with his customers. The city got paid its tax and all Garner was doing was fulfilling a market need. This was not a racial issue. It was a freedom issue. Too many blacks are sitting in jail for committing "crimes" just like this. Progressive have a lot to answer for.
2
Compliments to Mr. Stringer. He is getting these cases settled without involving lawyers who would delight in using technicalities to drag the cases out and avoid reaching settlement.
For the former city lawyer who criticized this approach, and insisted lawyers must be involved: get a life. Resolving matters like this should happen right off the bat, without any gameplaying. The police killed this man while he was down. The city recognized their responsibility and paid. That is the way justice is supposed to work: not protracted legal battles to dodge responsibility.
For the former city lawyer who criticized this approach, and insisted lawyers must be involved: get a life. Resolving matters like this should happen right off the bat, without any gameplaying. The police killed this man while he was down. The city recognized their responsibility and paid. That is the way justice is supposed to work: not protracted legal battles to dodge responsibility.
8
Police brutality - misbehavior is not just wrong, but darn expensive. These continuing judgments should be assessed against Police raises and pensions; the way to effect changes in our society and within any organization is to make all participants feel the pain.
18
The settlement figure, $5.9 Million, seems low to me. At least in the Los Angeles Metropolitan Area, where there is a "wrongful death" with a surviving spouse, and a deep pocket defendant as is the case here, most judges, mediators, arbitrators and plaintiffs' lawyers tell you the proper number is $10 Million. I find it hard to believe that "the number" in New York City is lower.
So folks, be prepared for the NYPD and the City of New York's attorneys to be crowing about what a good deal they got.
Given the City of New York's massive annual revenues, the Garner settlement was chump change. Typical of the city's power structure to take advantage of poor people once again, this time a poor widow.
So folks, be prepared for the NYPD and the City of New York's attorneys to be crowing about what a good deal they got.
Given the City of New York's massive annual revenues, the Garner settlement was chump change. Typical of the city's power structure to take advantage of poor people once again, this time a poor widow.
4
A) Don't commit misdemeanor.
B) Don't commit one after being warned not to many times over.
C) Don't resist arrest.
D) Realize that police officers want to go home at the end of their shift & that they will use force to subdue a suspect.
B) Don't commit one after being warned not to many times over.
C) Don't resist arrest.
D) Realize that police officers want to go home at the end of their shift & that they will use force to subdue a suspect.
27
@george you forgot
E) don't be black
NYC is corrupt to the core
E) don't be black
NYC is corrupt to the core
5
Andrew two of those cops were black including one woman. Black has nothing to do about it. Garner was told many times to cease and decist, he refused, he resisted arrest, cops went too far, Garner died.
1
To all who shall see these presents, greetings. Know ye that reposing special trust and confidence in the fidelity and abilities of the NYPD, the citizens of NYC do hereby authorize, subsidize, and provide settlement compensation to victims of their felonious acts. On behalf of the taxpayers in NYC who have paid multi-million dollar settlements for illegal pepper spraying of 115 pound legally protesting females, and illegal fatal choke holds of 280 pound men selling loosie cigarettes, I wish those citizens continued sub-servitude and compliance with tax laws used to fund settlements for NYPD acts. Good day, good cheer, and continued blind obedience.
1
$6 million settlement is a tacit acknowledgment that the police murdered Eric Garner, but I guess Staten Island juries--like the one that found the police not guilty--still think being black is a capital offense.
9
The family certainly deserves compensation, but this is excessive. A) it is unlikely he would have earned more than a small fraction of this amount (I.e. Future economic damages); and b) even the rest for "pain and suffering " is much. This was a punitive damages settlement. Unfortunately, the victim was worth far (financially) more killed by cops than he ever would have been otherwise. Watch out for more suicide by cop attempts now
9
You think he wanted to leave his children? You think he wanted to die? You are a sick individual.
3
What a waste. A waste of 5.9 million dollars. A waste of a man's life. Over selling loose cigarettes?
9
The medical examiner's office issue a press release that cited "neck compression (chokehold)" as one of several factors that contributed to Eric Garner's death, but a press release is not evidence. No one knows what the medical examiner to the grand jury because the judge has not released the grand jury evidence. We don't know how the medical examiner responded when the grand jury asked him if the police officer choked Garner to death. The police officer has maintained he did not employ a chokehold. We don't know whether the grand jury determined a chokehold was applied. All we know for sure is the grand jury decided the police officer did not murder Garner.
5
The city owes them.
Mr. Garner was killed for no good reason. What was he doing wrong? Selling allegedly "untaxed" cigarettes? How did that little cop know that garner's cigarettes were untaxed? If he went into a store and bought them to sell for a buck or two apiece they were taxed. What did he do, go out ro some Indian reservation and buy them there? Did the cigarettes look untaxed? Did he check the ciggies on sale at the local CVS to see if they were taxed or was it just this guy who got his chops horns broken? Not to mention that cigarette tax comes within the province of the state's Department of Taxation and Finance, not diminutive cops with big egos.
Even if Garner was doing wrong, something that has not yet been adequately explained, whatever that alleged violation was, it was not a capital crime.
This cop deserves to be in jail. At the very least he should be chipping in to what is being paid to Mr. Garner's family and he should never again work as a cop. He hasn't got the aptitude.
Mr. Garner was killed for no good reason. What was he doing wrong? Selling allegedly "untaxed" cigarettes? How did that little cop know that garner's cigarettes were untaxed? If he went into a store and bought them to sell for a buck or two apiece they were taxed. What did he do, go out ro some Indian reservation and buy them there? Did the cigarettes look untaxed? Did he check the ciggies on sale at the local CVS to see if they were taxed or was it just this guy who got his chops horns broken? Not to mention that cigarette tax comes within the province of the state's Department of Taxation and Finance, not diminutive cops with big egos.
Even if Garner was doing wrong, something that has not yet been adequately explained, whatever that alleged violation was, it was not a capital crime.
This cop deserves to be in jail. At the very least he should be chipping in to what is being paid to Mr. Garner's family and he should never again work as a cop. He hasn't got the aptitude.
10
The City is doing the right thing. When you owe money you pay it without waiting to be sued, which does nothing but needlessly generate fees for lawyers.
It's Good Faith.
It's Good Faith.
4
Lawsuits are getting ridiculous. The cop should be charged and sent to jail not family get rich.
4
exactly. so what? the widow and kids are well off for the rest of their lives? that seems so twisted. at what cost? her husbands/ their father's life?
2
Turned out to be expensive "LOOSIES" especially for us lowly taxpayers. Once again an over zealous, jack booted constabulary decides to lessen human life vs a petty law. The citizen loses and the pretty law continues to be propagated.
Just as an afterthought.....I wonder if ANY of the "law dogs" involved have had even a second of remorse!?!?
Just as an afterthought.....I wonder if ANY of the "law dogs" involved have had even a second of remorse!?!?
8
This is sickening that this family is paid in cold cash for their sons death. Nothing can replace him, not even money. I feel for the family but being paid off for this is ridiculous in my opinion.
1
Are you SERIOUS? Hundreds are MURDERED every year but they don't matter to you
Nothing can replace Mr. Garner's life, or adequately compensate the family for their loss. But money damages -- imperfect and inadequate as that remedy is -- are the only recompense our legal system can offer. And the Garners are as deserving as anybody else who receives a damage settlement.
This is the way the system works. Money is the measure of all things. Money is the most effective way to motivate the police department not to use excessive force. Money is a crude measure, and it is grotesque to value a human life by it, but that is the tool we have.
If the tool has been properly used, we should see less police brutality in the future.
If the tool has been properly used, we should see less police brutality in the future.
2
This settlement amount is no motivator to the NYPD and its members. It's chump change in the whole scheme of the City of New York's massive annual cash inflow.
2
Mr. Garner's death was a terrible tragedy. Nonetheless, this massive setlement is a political maneuver by Stringer to gain votes--otherwise he would involve the city's lawyers. No private entity would ever allow a financial person to determine the merits and value of a major lawsuit.
7
Somebody please explain to me why the taxpayers (i.e., victims of this police brutality) should have to pay their hard earned money to the Garner family. In a bizarre way, even the Garner family is paying this penalty simply because they are taxpayers. Seems to me, Di Blasio, Bratton, the police union, etc., should be on the hook, not the citizens.
8
It's standard language in virtually every police union contract in the country that the police force will "indemnify, defend and hold harmless" each cop. Otherwise, were a cop successfully sued under the Federal Civil Rights Act 42 U.S.C. 1983, s/he would have to pay the judgment himself/herself, throwing the cop into bankruptcy. So rather than a business-wise cop buying liability insurance for himself, his union gets it for him and many cities across the country self-insure for that cost.
2
Well at least Mr. Garner's descendants will not have to sell 'loosie' cigarettes on the street to make a buck. Maybe if the city put 6 million bucks into funding jobs that are taken by illegal aliens working for substandard wages, there would be some hope for people like Mr. Garner.
11
This isn't justice, this is a payoff. Most of all, there is no indication that steps have been taken to prevent something like this from ever happening again.
9
the entire nypd patrol force is being retrained both in verbal tactics and in less dangerous physical tactics. there are so many commenters on here making statements about the case, the law and the consequences. garner was not choked to death, he died of a heart attack. chokeholds are forbidden by nypd policy but are not illegal. a sergeant was on the scene supervising the arrest. the police unions disagree that the hold used to bring garner down was a chokehold. i don't understand why people who don't live in the city and don't read most of the coverage feel they have something to say.
4
Mark, l still don't see or hear that they are being trained to help overcome/eradicate racial bias in their policing. That is a BIG part of the problem of why situations escalate. I was a law abiding shopper (yes, simply shopping) when I experienced wrongful approach, questioning, calls for back-up, capped off by an outright racist comment made when the situation did not escalate as the cop hoped it would and knew he had to let me and my friends go (I kept quiet and things still didn't escalate thankfully). So I read all the news with that in mind. Many cops are LOOKING for a confrontation when they approach people. Regarding why folks not living in New York feel they have something to say, some of us used to live there and know the ills, or have law-abiding brothers, sisters, aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces or nephews still living there that we are worried for.
1
The main recipient of this settlement will be Mr. Garner's two year old daughter, Legacy. Mr. And Mrs. Garner have been separated a number of years, and during this time, Mr. Garner lived with his girlfriend - who is Legacy's mother.
8
“I think we’ve come a long way, even in the last year, in terms of bringing police and community together,” said de Blasio.
Really? Not with the mayor's poor leadership, which aggravated the problem.
Stringer also seems be paying off future potential voters with taxpayer money. You can't simply say that every settlement saves the taxpayers the expense of a trial -- let the courts decide the outcome, not one city lawyer.
Really? Not with the mayor's poor leadership, which aggravated the problem.
Stringer also seems be paying off future potential voters with taxpayer money. You can't simply say that every settlement saves the taxpayers the expense of a trial -- let the courts decide the outcome, not one city lawyer.
6
Do blasio could have shown real leadership by cleaning house at the NYPD and firing the back turners for blatant insubordination. The NYPD in its current is a blot on NYCand part of the larger stain of a totally corrupt criminal justice system from courts to jails.
1
REL The resolution is among the biggest reached so far as part of a strategy by the comptroller, Scott M. Stringer, to settle major civil rights claims even before a lawsuit is filed. Mr. Stringer has said the aim is to save taxpayers the expense of a drawn-out trial and to give those bringing the suits and their families a measure of closure.
Sounds like Stringer does not know what he's doing. Gardiner was resisting arrest. He's responsible for his death. Maybe a $100K would be in order. $6M no way. One city defense attorney would be much less than $6M. A common legal tactic is to delay then plaintiffs settle for much less.
Sounds like Stringer does not know what he's doing. Gardiner was resisting arrest. He's responsible for his death. Maybe a $100K would be in order. $6M no way. One city defense attorney would be much less than $6M. A common legal tactic is to delay then plaintiffs settle for much less.
11
I saw the tape, it didn't look to me like he was resisting arrest. He was arguing, but he was polite. The choke hold was illegal -- and cops showed no mercy, continuing to choke him as he kept saying, "I can't breathe."
5
Even if he was resisting, the chokehold was forbidden. It was illegal. Banned by the NYPD itself. You telling me that it was okay for the cop to use excessive force? That it was okay for the cop to break the law, but not Mr. Garner? To arrest a guy selling loose cigarettes?
2
“This is not about people getting money,” Mr. Sharpton said on Monday. “This is about justice. "
How can anyone take seriously any situation in which Al Sharpton is involved or believe anything he says? It would be laughable if the central fact was not that a man lost his life.
How can anyone take seriously any situation in which Al Sharpton is involved or believe anything he says? It would be laughable if the central fact was not that a man lost his life.
24
The police should should not be indemnified by the city for egregious acts such as these.
3
But they are, in police union contracts, all across the U.S.A.
What a joke? This guy would never earn $5.9 million (discounted to PV) over the rest of his life expectancy (which, given his utter disregard for his health, wasn't all that much longer anyway). An actuary would laugh at this, especially for a deadbeat who by his wife's admission didn't like to work.
36
Not a funny joke at all. Not about your judgement of what he would have been earned! He was murdered by the police! Not about whether his wife or his aunt Tilly or his second cousin liked to work either. HE WAS MURDERED.
1
Yeah some lives just aren't worth anything - -so who cares if the cops choke him to death with an illegal choke hold. He might have been selling loosies.
It strikes me as a horribly limited view of human life -- indeed, a horrifyingly constricted humanity -- that would limit the value of a person's life to a person's mere earning potential.
1
I am glad that Mr. Garner’s family will be compensated. But an NYPD officer applies an illegal choke hold for a minor offense, kills somebody, and yet he keeps his job, and the taxpayers of New York are on the hook to pay for his $6 million dollar lapse in judgment?
As long as the police are immune from civil (and almost entirely criminal) liability, the public will have to continue underwriting odious police misconduct.
As long as the police are immune from civil (and almost entirely criminal) liability, the public will have to continue underwriting odious police misconduct.
27
This should make clear to taxpayers, even those who firmly support the police dept, that the cost of aggressive policing is high. This settlement is one of many. We also need to cap the settlement rate, which makes suing NYC far more lucrative than doing the same in LA.
3
This is pretty disgusting. To think a pack of brutal cops can kill an unarmed civilian with utter impunity and suffer no personal consequence is obscene. To think that instead of these cops bearing any personal responsibility, the consequences will be born by you and me the taxpayers is just revolting.
It makes me SICK! This six million dollars should be a judgement against these police officers personally. NOT against the tax dollars New York City takes out of MY paycheck! It should be taken out of these policemen's wages, paycheck by paycheck, until the day they die.
It makes me SICK! This six million dollars should be a judgement against these police officers personally. NOT against the tax dollars New York City takes out of MY paycheck! It should be taken out of these policemen's wages, paycheck by paycheck, until the day they die.
12
The city paying the settlement, rather than the cops, is fairly standard in police union contracts all across the U.S.A.
If Garner were not a criminal he would have never found himself in that situation. The settlement is excessive.
31
Yeah big criminal! Selling loosies! And he wasn't even selling loosies the day the cops killed him.
5
Fire the cop. NOW.
Petty criminals don't deserve summary death by strangulation.
Were there actuaries involved in this settlement? Why did the city pay $5.9M when Mr. Garner would not be considered at that value if say he was killed in a job related accident.
I do not live in NY – however the taxpayers should be up in arms. Why should they pay for a NY Police officers misconduct? The Officer should pay with a long prison term and Mr. Garner’s family should receive no more than any other murder victim’s family receives.
I do not live in NY – however the taxpayers should be up in arms. Why should they pay for a NY Police officers misconduct? The Officer should pay with a long prison term and Mr. Garner’s family should receive no more than any other murder victim’s family receives.
14
man was resisting arrest, next time accept the arrest
9
The citizens have a right to sue the NYPD, and I think they should, but the NYPD should be rolling heads, too. Cops should be fired and thrown in jail.
3
Or the cops might kill you. And that's ok, right?
Does insurance pick up any of this $5.9 million or does it all come out of city funds?
3
cities this size are self insured
2
And how much of this $5.9 million will come out of the pocket of the man who actually in fact killed Eric Gardner? Not one red cent, I'll warrant. That's why cops feel free to kill people: they suffer no accountability. Maybe the guy who killed Gardner should chip in, eh?
9
Seems like the banksters showed the city the way just pay them off and admit nothing, just another cost of doing business.
2
"The Police Department has concluded its internal investigation but has yet to say whether any officers would be disciplined."
The apparent delay in releasing the results of the internal investigation, coupled with the City's desire to settle the matter before the family filed a law suit, suggests to me that NYPD investigators may have concluded that the officers were in the wrong, and should be disciplined. Any such finding would weigh powerfully in the family's law suit; hence, it would be in the City's interest to settle the case before the findings were made public.
The apparent delay in releasing the results of the internal investigation, coupled with the City's desire to settle the matter before the family filed a law suit, suggests to me that NYPD investigators may have concluded that the officers were in the wrong, and should be disciplined. Any such finding would weigh powerfully in the family's law suit; hence, it would be in the City's interest to settle the case before the findings were made public.
5
I concur with your conclusions. The City of Los Angeles did the same thing in the "Rodney King Beating Case" in the early 1990's. That city settled with Rodney King first, and then fired the 2 cops who went to Federal prison as well as the two cops who were acquitted by both a state and then a federal jury.
Despite their acquittals, the two youngest cops did not live happy lives after they were fired for conduct far less egregious than New Yorkers saw inflicted on Eric Garner. In 2004 the Los Angeles Times published a very haunting story on the life of Timothy Wind, the 10 months a rookie cop at the time of the Rodney King beating. Even 12 years after the King incident became the first widely broadcast police beating videotape filmed by a civilian, Mr. Wind was still having trouble finding employment and he and his family were being shunned anywhere they moved. I suspect that any NYPD cops fired as a result of the Eric Garner incident will suffer the same fate.
Despite their acquittals, the two youngest cops did not live happy lives after they were fired for conduct far less egregious than New Yorkers saw inflicted on Eric Garner. In 2004 the Los Angeles Times published a very haunting story on the life of Timothy Wind, the 10 months a rookie cop at the time of the Rodney King beating. Even 12 years after the King incident became the first widely broadcast police beating videotape filmed by a civilian, Mr. Wind was still having trouble finding employment and he and his family were being shunned anywhere they moved. I suspect that any NYPD cops fired as a result of the Eric Garner incident will suffer the same fate.
2
Our civil litigation system is completely broken. People always say things like 'it's not about the money', but in fact that's exactly what it's about. Actually going through with a lawsuit (and not just settling for the quick payout) would be much more likely to force changes upon the police department (assuming they are actually shown to have done something wrong, that is). If it's really about 'justice', then how about actually doing something to bring that about?
2
Historically big city police department management are totally unmotivated by high-dollar wrongful death settlements based upon the conduct of their officers. The only way to bring about meaningful change is to force a law enforcement agency is for the U.S. Attorney General to bring civil legal action to reform the law enforcement department itself.
Keep an eye on what the U.S. Justice Department does or does not do. My bet is that they will not take on the NYPD.
Keep an eye on what the U.S. Justice Department does or does not do. My bet is that they will not take on the NYPD.
Why has nobody questioned the medical examiner about his politically motivated report? Claiming that Garner's health was not the primary cause of his death, without any medical explanation or justification, was an absurd, insupportable conclusion motivated by public opinion. The ME tried the cops involved himself and found them guilty, and backed into a questionable cause of death.
15
If you have any evidence that the ME was corrupt, provide it. If not, do us the favor of not muddying the waters further.
6
When she issued the report, Barbara Sampson had the job on an acting basis. Shortly after it came out, she received a permanent appointment.
1
A choke hold was applied. Garner said, 'I can't breathe" 12 times -- the choking continued. That is murder.
2
If chokeholds are banned by NYPD and an officer uses it and causes death to someone, why shouldn't the officer be disciplined?
It seems all the actors on this stage (the Mayor, police commissioner, etc.) are quite comfortable in releasing money that doesn't belong to them to make these abuses go away (or, rather, accountability to go away). There is never any real attempt at reform. It's not just a black/white issue. It's also a rich/poor issue. If Eric Garner was from a wealthy family, we would see punishment for wayward officers, and maybe even larger settlements.
It seems all the actors on this stage (the Mayor, police commissioner, etc.) are quite comfortable in releasing money that doesn't belong to them to make these abuses go away (or, rather, accountability to go away). There is never any real attempt at reform. It's not just a black/white issue. It's also a rich/poor issue. If Eric Garner was from a wealthy family, we would see punishment for wayward officers, and maybe even larger settlements.
8
Chokeholds are banned by the LAPD, and have been for many years, as a result of the large number of deaths which occurred in L.A. as a result of them. Obviously, the NYPD officers and their union are going to resist the banning of chokeholds.
No money can bring Eric back However I am pleased it cost N.Y. dearly in dollars.
I used to be proud to be American. Now that you can be arrested and jailed for selling a cigarette I am no longer proud.
It is a shame our politicians and leaders have destroyed out freedoms like they were their own little toys.
Peace be with you Eric.
I used to be proud to be American. Now that you can be arrested and jailed for selling a cigarette I am no longer proud.
It is a shame our politicians and leaders have destroyed out freedoms like they were their own little toys.
Peace be with you Eric.
6
if the law prohibits loosies, then you can be arrested
this was under mayor DB's regime
loosies are tax evasions, maybe
$5.9m is a lot of lost tax money
this was under mayor DB's regime
loosies are tax evasions, maybe
$5.9m is a lot of lost tax money
4
Destroyed our freedoms like illegally selling cigarettes? You're joking.
The shopkeepers asked for enforcement and it obviously went to far. But to say that you have a right to break the law because you feel it's petty is pettiness in itself. Your self-righteousness is wildly misplaced.
The shopkeepers asked for enforcement and it obviously went to far. But to say that you have a right to break the law because you feel it's petty is pettiness in itself. Your self-righteousness is wildly misplaced.
7
But the cops can use an illegal choke hold. And keep on choking even when the guy says "I can't breathe" 12 times. Just keep choking until he dies - -and then stand around - -don't call an ambulance or anything. Job done.
My heart broke when I heard about Eric Garner's death. However, I do not support this award. The city ought not to make its diligent, hard working, taxpayers pay for the strategic mistakes of an incompetent Mayor and an over muscled police force. I do not like it when large sums of money are doled out to folks as a way to compensate for real injustice and bad policing, and what I dislike even more intensely is the fact that the money is taken out the honest taxpayer's pocket. The money should come out of the Mayor's personal fund.
2
You do realize, don't you, that had the case gone to trial, the costs to taxpayers might have been considerably higher?
New York City must be interested in avoiding a trial. Normally, one would assume it is because it has a bad case. In this case, however, it might be just the opposite. That this is even raised as a possibility demonstrates just how big a mess this mayor has made of things.
He probably didn't want it out there that the entire crackdown was his idea and that he was about to announce a big RICO case against a seller of untaxed cigarettes. He's managed to keep the blame on the cops.
He probably didn't want it out there that the entire crackdown was his idea and that he was about to announce a big RICO case against a seller of untaxed cigarettes. He's managed to keep the blame on the cops.
16
"He's managed to keep the blame on the cops." Exactly where it SHOULD be.
1
irenaiosbso:
It makes it difficult to answer the questions why Mr. Garner was being arrested for something as "trivial" as the sale of loosies. I suspect Mayor de Blasio doesn't want to open a can of worms about that crackdown because it can be traced directly back to him.
It makes it difficult to answer the questions why Mr. Garner was being arrested for something as "trivial" as the sale of loosies. I suspect Mayor de Blasio doesn't want to open a can of worms about that crackdown because it can be traced directly back to him.
2
Blame is on EMT
2
NYPD should now be mandated to carry insurance the same way nurse's and doctor's do for medical malpractice. Everytime an officer stops a civilian, they'll think about higher premiums when they reach for their baton or wrap their arms around someone's neck. Humans are priceless, but if a price has to be placed on one of us civilians by a rogue officer, let it be paid through their insurance - not taxpayers.
35
I like the way you think. However, much liked flood insurance, I am sure no private insurance company would ever insure such "high risk" individuals.
Think about it. Some dumb cop just cost the city $6 million. I'm sure that cop's conscience will never ever be bothered, but the city should be. If the cop had left Garner alone, or handled it more intelligently, like going to the guy and saying "hey, get outta here", the city would have lost a couple of hundred bucks, maybe a thousand, in taxes. Now, it has to pay $6 million. Perhaps if one can't appeal to their conscience one should hit them in the wallet? Is that the message?
12
There is no message, because in the history of widely publicized settlements of "police brutality/civil rights" cases, this is a very cheap settlement.
Way back in the mid 1990's LA's famous police beating victim, Rodney King and his lawyer collectively got $5.5 Million and King did not die.
Way back in the mid 1990's LA's famous police beating victim, Rodney King and his lawyer collectively got $5.5 Million and King did not die.
There would be nothing wrong with this payment if it was coming from the salaries of the police officers as a deduction. As the sum is 5.9m obviously one police officer cannot pay the entire amount, so it must come out from each and everyone of the police officers salary. As these police guys consider themselves the blue line of silence, the blue brother hood, ad infinitum, then they need to stand together in payments to their victims.
Additionally, a simple 5.9m payment means that it is OK for a person to be working for the police to go and kill someone and the city will just pay for it. I need to know WHY I CANNOT DO THE SAME THING? I WOULD LIKE TO BE ABLE TO PAY SOMEONE's wife or mother for killing them. This would be the application of the laws equally.
An indictment for MURDER is in order for those cops, by the FEDS.
Additionally, a simple 5.9m payment means that it is OK for a person to be working for the police to go and kill someone and the city will just pay for it. I need to know WHY I CANNOT DO THE SAME THING? I WOULD LIKE TO BE ABLE TO PAY SOMEONE's wife or mother for killing them. This would be the application of the laws equally.
An indictment for MURDER is in order for those cops, by the FEDS.
24
Not gonna happen.
Where is the proof that any of the involved cops could have reasonably expected that their actions would result in the death of Eric Garner. Is that not the crux of the matter? Without that, should anyone lose their job, have to pay damages or go to jail?
13
Well, if you choke a guy until he gasps, "I can't breathe," and you keep on choking him, it's not credible that you're surprised that he dies.
6
Even were that the case (and it's not; they used an illegal chokehold), that isn't the crux of the matter. They killed him.
6
Yeah, right. After all, New York cops must choke guys like that all the time when they find them selling single cigarettes.
3
No amount of money will right the cowardly action that day of the policemen who choked him out. They should never forget, "I can't breathe."
21
garner died of a heart attack. he was not choked out.
6
A heart attack precipitated by having his airway constricted in a manner that prevented him from being able to breathe.
impending cynicism and amorality grotesque in nature:
at least we can now say that law enforcement of this nature is not economically viable
at least we can now say that law enforcement of this nature is not economically viable
3
Eric Garner's life was worth a bazillion dollars to me. I only hope his family accepts this small token of his worth and somehow musters the strength and dignity to move on. I also think we should force every cop in the city to cough up 100 bucks out of their next paycheck to buy Eric's illegitimate daughter a present. It's not fair to her to be cut out of the windfall. Eric won't be there to teach her how to ride a bike or walk her her down the aisle or financially support her as he did in life.
6
Too many cops protect and serve their own. The head of the police union callously called it 'political' when the medical examiner ruled Garner's death a homicide.
What about grand juries and prosecutors who protect police who murder people? And after watching the horrific video over and over, but with closed minds. They find an excuse no matter what. That is what's political.
Then there's many settlements in Brooklyn which tax payers had to pay, resulting from lawsuits for wrongful convictions. Will there be more law suites to settle for the many Rikers Island brutality cases?
America, land of the Bill of Rights.
Bratton is on TV saying all officers are getting 3 day retraining, to treat the public more respectfully. I hope that saves lives.
What about grand juries and prosecutors who protect police who murder people? And after watching the horrific video over and over, but with closed minds. They find an excuse no matter what. That is what's political.
Then there's many settlements in Brooklyn which tax payers had to pay, resulting from lawsuits for wrongful convictions. Will there be more law suites to settle for the many Rikers Island brutality cases?
America, land of the Bill of Rights.
Bratton is on TV saying all officers are getting 3 day retraining, to treat the public more respectfully. I hope that saves lives.
9
So as far as I know, the officers continue to collect their paychecks and add to their pensions, all while getting a free pass on the back of taxpayers to cover the cost of their sins, their over-aggressiveness, and their complete lack of professionalism. Yup, business as usual. All while Eric Garner is dead, his mother has lost her son, and his wife her husband. Gotta love the police unions, they really protect their own, don't they.
21
I don't see how Stringer is helping with this. Let it go to trial and include Officer Pantaleo as a defendant. Oh, it reduces the City's payout? That doesn't hold Pantaleo accountable. So it's no good. Enough with the big payouts because of incompent employees of the City.
8
Sharpton is widely viewed as a self-serving publicity hound and should be left on the sidelines of serious problems. Even seeing his name in a case which garners (sorry) much appropriate sympathy can be ruined by including this charlatan in the case.
11
no one cares about sympathy, its about real results...
1
I'm detecting a subtext in this story that Stringer should not have settled the case. Could it be that the Times thinks the payout was much too lavish?
1
The facts as reported by the NYT seem to be in this instance the police had no probable cause to arrest Mr. Garner. He was not selling loose cigarettes that day and the police did not know of anything Mr. Garner had done or was reported to have done that day or previously to allow them to arrest him. So whether he was a good family man or not does not matter. Whether he was a heart attack waiting to happen did not matter. The police had not business touching him. $5.6 million is probably what it would cost the city to go through a trial where it would have had to pay a judgement of at least that much on top of the costs.
11
Thank you for pointing this out. All other commenters keep repeating ( in GRAVE error) that he was being arrested for committing a crime. On what day? Certainly not that day!
Where does this money come from? Is it not from the city coffers, which NYers fill? What if us city folk want there to be a trial?
6
Ignore the rhetoric. The money belongs to the City, not "taxpayers". We have no legal right to the money.
Not even close to justice for this heinous murder of an innocent man at the hands of 4 police officers who killed for no reason.
No amount of money compensates this. A stain on this country.
No amount of money compensates this. A stain on this country.
10
He was not innocent he was resisting arrest and had prior convictions.
5
There are so many horrible things happening between law enforcement and citizens in America, but this was not one of them. The amount of misinformation and bombast surrounding this case is epic. Eric Garner's death was not intentional, or in anyway laced with malice. It was involuntary manslaughter. He resisted arrest. His family should have received in the neighborhood of $200,000 - far more than he would legitimately earn in his remaining years. The cops should be reprimanded, retrained and set back out on the streets.
By comparison, Walter Scott's death was murder. That cop should spend the rest of his life in jail. Same for the rough-ride guy in Baltimore. Awful. But you don't change the system by giving people millions. You change the system by locking up the bad guys and making sure everyone else on the force knows the rules.
By comparison, Walter Scott's death was murder. That cop should spend the rest of his life in jail. Same for the rough-ride guy in Baltimore. Awful. But you don't change the system by giving people millions. You change the system by locking up the bad guys and making sure everyone else on the force knows the rules.
17
So, Daydreamer, if some person xyz kills you, a 200,000 payment would be sufficient for your life to your family. Right? Who do you think you are to decide that this guy's life is worth $200,000? I think his life was worth $100,000,000 (yes, hundred million), no let's double that or maybe quadruple that.
A simple accidental death would merit this 5.9m settlement, but in this case it was a deliberate choke hold, murder 1. The fact is that his life is worth more than all the GDP of this entire world because we cannot create it for him. This guy is rotting 6 feet below the ground. Therefore, it is very important to ensure that we do not do anything that would cause bodily harm to someone and especially death.
A simple accidental death would merit this 5.9m settlement, but in this case it was a deliberate choke hold, murder 1. The fact is that his life is worth more than all the GDP of this entire world because we cannot create it for him. This guy is rotting 6 feet below the ground. Therefore, it is very important to ensure that we do not do anything that would cause bodily harm to someone and especially death.
4
Involuntary manslaughter is a crime. The cop that killed Mr. Garner with a choke-hold that had been banned for years because it can result in death should have been indicted. However he wasn't because the DA didn't want him to be indicted.
6
A man is worth more, far more, than your paltry figuring of his income. The loss the family has borne is far greater than money could pay. I'm amazed that you don't get that. And appalled.
2
Virtually all of these police killings of black men start with someone resisting arrest either forcefully or by running away, which then escalates and the police overreact. (The Cleveland case being a notable exception both in the circumstances and the fact that it was a boy and not a man.)
In my mind the way to prevent these incidents is to reduce the likelihood that someone will resist arrest, and the way to do that is to increase the use of K-9 units for arrests. No one is going to be able to run away from a 150 pound German Shepherd, nor are they likely to fight a dog, as Eric Garner did with the police officers sent to arrest him.
I know this will conjure images of Bull Connor for some people, but it could save lives. And the expense of additional K-9 units pales in comparison to a $6 million payout.
In my mind the way to prevent these incidents is to reduce the likelihood that someone will resist arrest, and the way to do that is to increase the use of K-9 units for arrests. No one is going to be able to run away from a 150 pound German Shepherd, nor are they likely to fight a dog, as Eric Garner did with the police officers sent to arrest him.
I know this will conjure images of Bull Connor for some people, but it could save lives. And the expense of additional K-9 units pales in comparison to a $6 million payout.
13
You seem to have a remarkable ability to place blame where you prefer it to be. Do you not understand that police have been killing people of color, with complete impunity, for years? How can you expect humans to resist the temptation to flee when they know they can be killed, without consequence, by the person chasing them, or attempting to arrest them?
To your mind, attack dogs would "solve" the problem. What about teaching police officers that they do not have the right to execute people who resist arrest? That would also save $6 million.
To your mind, attack dogs would "solve" the problem. What about teaching police officers that they do not have the right to execute people who resist arrest? That would also save $6 million.
7
Nice start sicking dogs on citizens. How about training officers not to use excessive force instead.
8
Sorry, you are assuming that police's motives for approaching, interrogating or arresting people are purely motivated, especially when dealing with people of colour. Even when you fully co-operate (which often happens in stories that don't usually make the news), bad things can happen. This is why some resist arrest ... Out of frustration of unfair policing and enforcement and excessive police interest for NO - and I do mean NO - valid reason. We don't need the added terror of dogs to the threat that guns and choke-holds already pose.
5
Why should I pay for something that was done by somebody else. And the killer was not even indicted.
13
Becuase, the police work for you, you pay their salaries and ultimately you take their actions in your pocketpook.
7
Ms. "Miriam," your response makes no sense, grammar-wise or message-wise.
1
The Mayor and the city comptroller should have let this go to trial. The taxpayers of New York are entitled to a vigorous defense of our funds, no matter how strident the public opinion is on any given case. More important--a trial would have made public a lot more information about the case, including the results of the autopsy that might have put this case to rest. Is it possible that the Mayor was afraid the plaintiffs would lose, or that when all the facts were out, the police might be exonerated? And, no the video is not convincing as to cause of death.
108
Re: Jake of New York.
Right to breath is the most basic fundamental right of all aerobic creatures, and it has preceded the U.S. Constitution by several billion years. Jake of New York and the Grand Jury in Staten Island deserve a special place for not being convinced with video evidence of as to the cause of death.
Right to breath is the most basic fundamental right of all aerobic creatures, and it has preceded the U.S. Constitution by several billion years. Jake of New York and the Grand Jury in Staten Island deserve a special place for not being convinced with video evidence of as to the cause of death.
8
I thought it was the prosecutor or DA that decided if cases go to court.
1
I respectfully disagree. As an MD, the cause of death in this case is not clear to me. The autopsy report might change my mind, that was one of the points I was trying to make.
1
I wonder what lesson from this incident the police will draw . I doubt there will be less accidents involving police. This will not happen. Police officers got used to the fact that they can get away with everything. Why trying to become better when honest taxpayers will pay for their crimes!
2
Those cops should be on trial for killing Eric Garner.
4
State and municipalities paying millions to compensate the families of citizens who have been seriously injured or killed by police is a strike against non-involved taxpayers. The time is long, long overdue for aggressively prosecuting police officers that are responsible for seriously or fatally injuring individuals under such circumstances as cited here. Were these renegade officers employed in any other position in any developed country, as well as our own armed forces, they would no doubt have been properly prosecuted. It's time to solve this crippling problem and to shape up and fly right.
2
These settlements are a small price we pay for our acceptance of the status quo of racism in our police force. Funding of these settlements should come out of the wages of the entire NYPD and the PBA benefit fund. The PBA and the NYPD are the only agents that can affect real change. The rest of us can only howl in anger.
6
If the settlement money was taken directly from the PBA's coffers and the offending officers and prosecutors' salaries and pensions, all this brutality and incompetence would come to screeching halt.
10
How many "Legal" taxed cigarettes must be sold to cover this settlement? We were better off with $2 a pack cigarettes. Only the lawyers won.
7
According to the Village Voice*:
"New York accounts for about half of tax losses nationwide. In dollar figures, the best estimates suggest that New York loses about $1.5 billion in revenue every year to tobacco tax evasion in its various forms."
*****
* "SMUGGLED, UNTAXED CIGARETTES ARE EVERYWHERE IN NEW YORK CITY", 4/7/15
http://www.villagevoice.com/news/smuggled-untaxed-cigarettes-are-everywh...
"New York accounts for about half of tax losses nationwide. In dollar figures, the best estimates suggest that New York loses about $1.5 billion in revenue every year to tobacco tax evasion in its various forms."
*****
* "SMUGGLED, UNTAXED CIGARETTES ARE EVERYWHERE IN NEW YORK CITY", 4/7/15
http://www.villagevoice.com/news/smuggled-untaxed-cigarettes-are-everywh...
1
Police officers must be held financially liable in some degree for their misconduct otherwise there is no disincentive to be unnecessarily brutal and worse. Ah, but I hear the PBA saying, If that were the case, an officer mi gut hesitate to the detriment of society. Oh? I assure Mr. Lynch if there is any reasonable basis for violence, no matter how thin, a grand jury will not indict. And if an officer is unable in a nanosecond to make such a judgment, s/he doesn't belong on the force. Yeah, loss of money is a pretty good disincentive for these men and women who don't join the PD to serve but, much more likely for the pay and benefits. Is the job dangerous? Less than b wing a window washer or construction worker. And note Bratton's speech to the newly graduated cadets where he implored them to have "fun" on the job.
7
We as the people of the US need to assemble a group to MAKE THESE POLICE STAND TRIAL FOR WHAT THEY HAVE DONE. Lets keep their names in the news and make them accountable for what they have done. Almost all of it is on video, it should not be this hard to pursue legal action. Where is the DA at?
8
Foolhardy, based on feel good PC, "the cops are always wrong" thinking. The city may indeed owe a settlement, a generous one at that, to Mr. Garner's family, but rash actions of this kind, without even taking the time or trouble to examine all the facts and mitigating circumstances that would better protect the public treasury, is an affront to the taxpayers of the city. Further, this new "policy" is telling the plaintiff's bar that it's open season on the city coffers - just raise a case and there won't even be an attempt to defend the public interest. The city is openly asking for trouble with this approach.
Justice, however one cares to define it, demands that recompense be paid to those needlessly injured by badly performing public employees. It also demands, however, that officials like the comptroller remember that he is tasked with protecting the public purse and not approach threatened suits with a "well, it's not my money" ethos and opening the till to all comers.
Justice, however one cares to define it, demands that recompense be paid to those needlessly injured by badly performing public employees. It also demands, however, that officials like the comptroller remember that he is tasked with protecting the public purse and not approach threatened suits with a "well, it's not my money" ethos and opening the till to all comers.
9
ONE OBVIOUS, IMMEDIATE solution, is for Stringer and De Blasio to CHANGE the policy.
They should tell EVERYONE who claims to have been wronged by govt and HAS THE PROOF, to WAIT to hire any attorney, and FIRST negotiate with the city.
If they did this ONE simply reform, the Garner payout would've been $4 million and NO money to the Attorneys who DID NO WORK.
We'd save 33% of the $150 million a YEAR we pay out for the crimes of government, instantly.
But this city seems allergic to discussing solutions and reforms.
They should tell EVERYONE who claims to have been wronged by govt and HAS THE PROOF, to WAIT to hire any attorney, and FIRST negotiate with the city.
If they did this ONE simply reform, the Garner payout would've been $4 million and NO money to the Attorneys who DID NO WORK.
We'd save 33% of the $150 million a YEAR we pay out for the crimes of government, instantly.
But this city seems allergic to discussing solutions and reforms.
1
your idea has no validity. nobody other then a lawyer has the sophistication and expertise to negotiate with the city.
2
This is likely not a policy either the mayor or Scott Stringer can change. It is likely the result of an indemnification provision written into the collective bargaining contracts with the various police unions.
The monetary agreement should remind law enforcement everywhere that civilian life is not cheap and dispensable. The best longterm outcome would be rethinking what infractions should lead to physical confrontations (definitely not selling loosies) and doing away with chokeholds. A positive legacy can be borne of the Garner tragedy.
34
Reading the comments of several of your citizens it would seem like some find black lives quite cheap. One even went so far as to call paying damages as "negative selction" that's just swell
2
The problem is anytime someone resists arrest, it leads to a physical confrontation. The solution is not to let people just say "No". Mr. Garner was insisting that he wasn't going to be arrested and refused to comply.
That said, procedures for obese, unhealthy people must be followed. Complaints, unfortunately, are too frequent to be able to trust completely. Evidently, it's very common to yell about being hurt, which is why procedures need to kick in.
That said, procedures for obese, unhealthy people must be followed. Complaints, unfortunately, are too frequent to be able to trust completely. Evidently, it's very common to yell about being hurt, which is why procedures need to kick in.
2
How about the procedure where the police are not using illegal and deadly chokeholds as is forbidden now. It that procedure isn't followed why would anyone believe that any other policy\procedure would work. And the people targeted by police know it.
Small Change. Come out here to Maricopa County where Sheriff Joe Arpaio has been sued (and lost) so many times the deductible on the the county liability policy was increased from $1 million to $5 million.
7
The settlement money should come out of police union and pension funds. Once they have to pay for their criminality, rather than law abiding tax payers, their brutality may diminish or even end.
18
In the end, it won't be merely editorial platitudes or even protests that would curtail police brutality. Much more likely, it would be the economic burden it imposes on municipal governments.
Officers should be required to undergo training on the cost the city incurs when they misbehave.
Officers should be required to undergo training on the cost the city incurs when they misbehave.
4
So this 6 million comes from very funds which could have helped the underprivileged; the very schools that would benefited, the senior centers, the drug rehab programs. So the poor get punished again-first they get killed with impunity and now they pay again? How is this justice?
9
It's justice because a father was taken from their children. Loss of human life shouldn't be compensated? Was he the model citizen? No. But he was a living breathing human being who loved his children and they loved him and he removed from this planet prematurely. It's reasoning like yours that hold Black lives to level of being unrecompensable.
Wrongful enough death to merit a 5.9 million dollar settlement, but not wrongful enough of a death to merit firing a police officer?
What kind of message does that send about the value of human life in the NYPD?
What kind of message does that send about the value of human life in the NYPD?
244
It says that the Mayor ignored facts and gave away money because he wants to be re-elected.
1
I'm still waiting for someone to prove that Mr. Garner was selling loose cigarettes.
7
33% of $5.9 Mill = $1,947,000 to Garner lawyer..? For doing what?
2
5.9 million dollars. It makes me wonder how many attempt suicide or injury by cop for profit.
7
Why am I paying with my tax dollars for this animal Cop's behavior? and why is the family of this multiple criminal offender Garner suddenly rewarded with millions of dollars for this behavior. The cop should be fired and charged with a crime. Since when do the families of murder victims get to become millionaires overnight?
5
Settlement is a way of avoiding the exorbitant lawyers' fees and the scandal. It does not demonstrate guilt or innocence. Garner's family cannot demonstrate that the officer is guilty of murder, beyond reasonable doubt, in a court of law. Neither will officer Pantaleo have a chance of proving his innocence. It's a cheap but dirty way of doing justice. By failing to actually prove guilt or innocence, this is not the kind of justice that will bring peace. The number of crimes is on the rise. Crime does pay.
2
"Garner's family cannot demonstrate that the officer is guilty of murder, beyond reasonable doubt, in a court of law. "
It is unknown whether or not murder could have been proven in a criminal trial. The case, and the evidence, has not been tried in a court of law where it is subject to challenge, opposing evidence and cross-examination. A grand jury rendered a decision saying it believed there was insufficient evidence to indict. That is not an acquittal. Nor is it a binding decision upon the district attorney -- it is advisory only.
It is unknown whether or not murder could have been proven in a criminal trial. The case, and the evidence, has not been tried in a court of law where it is subject to challenge, opposing evidence and cross-examination. A grand jury rendered a decision saying it believed there was insufficient evidence to indict. That is not an acquittal. Nor is it a binding decision upon the district attorney -- it is advisory only.
You know, we'd save a lot of money if the police would just stop doing these things. I'm not seeing the upside to police brutality; this is not a reasonable cost of doing business. It's not like their methodology is so sound and effective that paying out the occasional multimillion dollar settlement is any kind of trade-off. When will we figure out that bullying the populace into submission doesn't work? When will we figure out a saner way to keep our community safe? When will we realize that it's time to completely re-think our approach to law enforcement?
6
Eric Garner resisted arrest because he could not afford the legal expenses of going into the system. The dimwits in blue were going to bust an elderly black man for selling single smokes because there were more than three cops, which becomes a cop mob. A cop mob has no brain which means they become excessively aggressive easily. Mr. Garner probably couldn't believe what was happening, poor guy. NYC didn't not pay the Garner family enough, Mr. Garners murder was one of the most obscene killings by police I have ever read about.
13
can somebody help me with the math.If the Lawyer gets 1/3 and they pay tax on the money,the take home money is 2.5Million which doesn't sound much then
3
Sounds to me like more than he would have earned in the rest of his life. He was in poor health and had no earning power. He could never have paid for a life insurance policy with even one million payout. Besides, the bigger point is not whether the family is compensated for their financial loss. The emotional loss is (we presume) immensely greater. The bigger point is how much the pain of the penalty motivates the city to examine its practices and decide to change them. From that point of view you're right, this is a pittance, the city probably has insurance that will cover this payout and the police department has no incentive to change. Bratton believes in the underlying philosophy that led to this killing, including the belief than there is a higher crime rate among black citizens. Maybe if the police department was required to take the money out of their budget for overtime operations and reimburse the city it would help.
New Yorkers pay for this death, not the officers who did it nor the union that bullies critics and ensures that justice and accountability are not forthcoming. And certainly not Dan Donovan, who could have gotten an indictment but put forth a weak offense. The only justice, and it's small, is that the Staten Island taxpayers will foot part of the biil. An enablers of a culture and participants in a contaminated Grand Jury process, this is a small dose of justice. Small comfort.
11
Good for the Garner family, but a shame that the NYPD escapes from a consent decree.
9
Soon they'll be be paying off settlements like these in Powerball tickets.
4
Had the case come to trial with no substantive new evidence to mitigate the hard evidence that has already been made public, and I were on the jury I would vote to award Mr. Garner's heirs an amount closer to $5.9 Billion than the shamefully inadequate $5.9 Million paid by NYC.
11
How charming...but based on what, exactly? Who are you punishing? Do you think NYC is a bottomless pit of public money? What are you willing to have the city save on in order to pay out billions in ONE settlement? Close some schools, shut down some MTA lines...what? There's no free ride!
4
Hey John: Who's going to pay for your generosity?
4
Of course the cop gets away with impunity as the city throws money in the faces of the family.
The administration is saying "we refuse to correct the systemic problems but take this check and shut up."
The administration is saying "we refuse to correct the systemic problems but take this check and shut up."
15
and the relatives are saying OK.
Have the people responsable...the police officer(s) been fired? The city admits wrongdoing by paying this money and those responsible should not keep their jobs!
127
Have you ever tried to fire a unionized public employee?
Do you suppose they could withhold a certain amount from his paycheck until the amount is paid off?
If you look at this matter on a national scale, you will find that very few individual police, pct.: total actually do jail time....Civilians do lose their lives at the hands of police all over this country, all too often. I have seen stories that tell of 5,000 U.S. cvilians dying at the hands of police since 9/11. Fed Govt. apparently does not see the need to create such a data bases and individual police depts. are not required to retain deadly force data either...What's wrong with this picture?
I guess it may have been better for the deceased to continue selling untaxed cigarettes or ask him to leave and not to provoke a confrontation.
57
No, asking him to leave was not an option. The police officers have a quota of arrests they must meet or risk being fired, or at least transferred to an undesirable job. This is a part of the "broken windows" policing Bratton instituted in his first pass at the chief's job.
1
There's an awful lot of armchair cops on this comment board.
You're right. Maybe they should stop arresting people for committing crimes. Lets all see how these neighborhoods fare when that happens.
You're right. Maybe they should stop arresting people for committing crimes. Lets all see how these neighborhoods fare when that happens.
5
He had been harassed continuously for nearly 3 years prior to his murder. One instance included the police doing a cavity search in public - total debasement and humiliation. Mr. Garner was fed up. That is why he said, on his last day, 'This stops today!' The years of harassment and humiliation had to end. Unfortunately, it did end - it ended his life.
The NYPD has to face its institutionalized racism and classicism. This comes from training. But the agency doesn't think it has a problem and the budget is always towards salaries, not training.
Hopefully public pressure will help change the culture and compel the NYPD to retrain and newly train cops with communication skills, de-escalation, mental health training and alternatives to violence training.
The NYPD has to face its institutionalized racism and classicism. This comes from training. But the agency doesn't think it has a problem and the budget is always towards salaries, not training.
Hopefully public pressure will help change the culture and compel the NYPD to retrain and newly train cops with communication skills, de-escalation, mental health training and alternatives to violence training.
1
Eric Garner was murdered by callous police officers who should be fired without pension benefits. The city needs to send a message to police officers who do not value all lives equally and who resort to killing when alternative means of control are available and appropriate. Despite the settlement with his family, Eric Garner is still dead. The police need to "get it": When You're Dead, You're Dead. If you kill without cause, you do not qualify to be a police officer.
217
Short of saying okay, keep on selling the cigarettes illegally and walking away, what were the alternatives when the criminal being apprehended refuses to comply with officer's directives?
9
Fired? How about life without parole?
1
It's FAR uglier than you presume.
EX: the DAs must also be jailed for breaking the LAW to protect their own teammates. For instance, the NYPD (NOT Sharpton) announced Team Pantaleo FALSIFIED POLICE REPORTS, as the video proved.
That's a MISDEMEANOR crime that requires no (fake) Grand Jury indictment. So why did DA Dan Donovan NOT ARREST TEAM PANTALEO for this?
You already know the answer: ALL DAs are crooked and MUST protect dirty cops or else the job of EVERY DA will get exponentially harder, as more and more juries doubt cops.
EX: the DAs must also be jailed for breaking the LAW to protect their own teammates. For instance, the NYPD (NOT Sharpton) announced Team Pantaleo FALSIFIED POLICE REPORTS, as the video proved.
That's a MISDEMEANOR crime that requires no (fake) Grand Jury indictment. So why did DA Dan Donovan NOT ARREST TEAM PANTALEO for this?
You already know the answer: ALL DAs are crooked and MUST protect dirty cops or else the job of EVERY DA will get exponentially harder, as more and more juries doubt cops.
3
Oh, that's nice -- taxpayers come to the rescue again. And by taxpayers I mean the American middle class since the very rich and the very poor do not (or cannot) bear their fair share. The law-abiding, hard-working, tax-paying middle class Americans are the suckers, as usual.
131
Absolutely the fact that these officers murdered this man and then let him lay there without attempting cpr, is not the real crime, the fact that it costs me money is the crime. Sarcasm in case you did not recognize it but on second thought you have a point, police officers in my employ,which they are should not cost me millions in settlement dollars. Fire them, period.
5
well then you'd better start DEMANDING REFORMS, no?
You can't have it both ways.
HOW did the NYPD get away with so much crime for 150 years? Only because the citizens snoozed.
You can't have it both ways.
HOW did the NYPD get away with so much crime for 150 years? Only because the citizens snoozed.
And the alternative, as you see it, is what? No compensation when the state murders a citizen?
1
Perhaps City Comptroller Scott C. Stringer should express his displeasure with the various city agencies and departments which create huge awards by their feeble attempts to enforce absolutely ridiculous "anti-crime" laws. The root problem is maintaining ridiculous, unenforceable city laws and ordinances which criminalize petty offenses.
21
Do the lawyers that represent the family still get 1/3 of the 'settlement?That's unsettling...
14
I wonder just how this is going to be split up ,,, how much do the lawyers get ... how much the family, and how much to 'other' interests
7
The cop did not need to arrest or kill someone selling cigarettes. Or even hassle them....selling loose cigarettes???? And then the cop(s) weren't even charged with a crime. Civil relief for the family. POLICING needs to change. It is costing taxpayers to have these types of cops on the street, let alone the families of the slain.
59
Hew as seeing them right outside the doors of storeowners who were selling cigarettes legally, i.e. paying taxes. So he was taking business away from taxpaying, law abiding store owners. He should have been arrested because he was in effect stealing from taxpayers. He was the subject of many complaints form these storeowners over the years, for good reason.
11
Easy to criticize, but the facts released to the public were not ALL the facts.
The cops were doing the job that they had been constructed to do, and Garner was doing what he was doing AGAIN. How many times do you expect people to get a free pass just because the crime isn't something like robbery or murder? Crime is crime.
The cops were doing the job that they had been constructed to do, and Garner was doing what he was doing AGAIN. How many times do you expect people to get a free pass just because the crime isn't something like robbery or murder? Crime is crime.
10
as a repeat offender, one who weighed in at 350 lbs, Garner knew better than to struggle and resist arrest. He jeopardized his own health by trying to pull away from a cop in the process of handcuffing him.
while I don't support bad police, I also am unhappy about rewarding lawbreakers and or their families and lawyers.
Stop committing crimes and a great deal of your police problems disappear. yet the "community" does not want to accept that responsibility of society.
my sympathy for them and him is very small
while I don't support bad police, I also am unhappy about rewarding lawbreakers and or their families and lawyers.
Stop committing crimes and a great deal of your police problems disappear. yet the "community" does not want to accept that responsibility of society.
my sympathy for them and him is very small
9
It makes no sense for the City to pay out such a massive sum when the claim is that an officer acted outside the scope of his training. It is not the negligent officer or the incompetent Mayor who pays these astonishing amounts. Instead, it the small few in New York City who pay New York City taxes who bear the costs of De Blasio's idiotic plan to make huge payouts to claimants who affiliate themselves with agitators. A payout such as this which has no foundation makes it expensive for the City to settle future cases. What would the payout be if Mr. Garner was employed, in good health, had no criminal record and did not disobey the police? What effect does a publicized settlement like this have on the jury pool? A settlement like this means taxes and insurance rates are going up. This is what happens when you have a Mayor who is gleeful with spending other people's money.
39
This is what happens when NYC Police are out of control. Amazing how you try to shift the blame though.
3
1
A jury would've given them $10 million, so you're wrong on this count, and you betray your right wing leanings by denouncing de Blasio for doing what Rudy and Bloomberg did non-stop.
(No mayor in US history came close to the spending of Giuliani and Bloomberg, but you republicans insisted these Republican candidates were "fiscal conservatives" as they ballooned NYC's absurd budget from $33 billion to $75 billion a year.)
2
You are WRONG on every point you make. MAYBE had Pantaleo been a lone nut, you'd have a bit of an argument, but even if he had been ALONE in his murder of Garner, he is TRAINED and SUPERVISED by the City Of NY so we innocent taxpayers are liable still.
3
The REAL solution would be to settle BEFORE victims hire lawyers (when there is enough evidence of govt negligence), AND to take the monies out of the SUED AGENCY's BUDGET (instead of the General Tax Fund).
But even our "progressive" pols don't seem to care.
A jury would've given them $10 million, so you're wrong on this count, and you betray your right wing leanings by denouncing de Blasio for doing what Rudy and Bloomberg did non-stop.
(No mayor in US history came close to the spending of Giuliani and Bloomberg, but you republicans insisted these Republican candidates were "fiscal conservatives" as they ballooned NYC's absurd budget from $33 billion to $75 billion a year.)
2
You are WRONG on every point you make. MAYBE had Pantaleo been a lone nut, you'd have a bit of an argument, but even if he had been ALONE in his murder of Garner, he is TRAINED and SUPERVISED by the City Of NY so we innocent taxpayers are liable still.
3
The REAL solution would be to settle BEFORE victims hire lawyers (when there is enough evidence of govt negligence), AND to take the monies out of the SUED AGENCY's BUDGET (instead of the General Tax Fund).
But even our "progressive" pols don't seem to care.
4
The cops involved need to do a stint of hard labor. The cop, and that arm, muscled and corded, pushing and pushing, trying his very best to push Garner's face straight into the concrete sidewalk, is a scene i will never forget. He needs to go to prison and meditate on reincarnation and the possibility of spending his next life as a black man hounded by the police.
143
Hard labor? Jail? Perhaps you didn't hear that a grand jury determined not to indict these police officers. Glad you aren't in charge.
15
Cops did nothing wrong.
7
NY taxes and policies makes it profitable for the poor to sell single cigarettes and then they tell the police to crack down on them? Insanity.
Worried about their cigarette revenues than the 5.9 million $$ they gave his family as hush money for the poor mans life.
Worried about their cigarette revenues than the 5.9 million $$ they gave his family as hush money for the poor mans life.
21
de Blazio should pay. Taxpayers have no responsibility for this.
52
That's ridiculous!
7
It's NYPD who should pay. DeBlasio never laid a hand on anyone.
6
no it's awesome!
So Eric Garner's life was worth $5.9 million. $5.9 million, imagine that!! And I am guessing NYC was being generous!! Just to-day, President Obama gave clemency to 46 Non-Violent drug offenders. NON-VIOLENT. What about Officer Pantaleo? Eric Garner's death was a Homicide according to the coroner and his violence has been recorded on video. So what has been Pantaleo's punishment?
A desk job or even a suspension, if at all? Why should the tax-payer be made to pay for his criminality. By the same logic, can every rich murderer or mob killer pay his way out of life sentences or capital punishment? By inference, does that mean such punishment is for the poor only? Too many inferences with this settlement!!
A desk job or even a suspension, if at all? Why should the tax-payer be made to pay for his criminality. By the same logic, can every rich murderer or mob killer pay his way out of life sentences or capital punishment? By inference, does that mean such punishment is for the poor only? Too many inferences with this settlement!!
15
This should come directly out the police budget it's the only way they will finally realize that their incompetence costs them. Because otherwise they will just continue breaking their own rules and law.
350
Better than police budget would be the pension fund for the police.
2
Along this line maybe take it out of their pension entitlements, so many dollars per cop, and reduce dollar for dollar City pension contributions into the fund and proportionately, liability to each cop.
Each settlement.
Active and retired equally.
That would get their attention.
Unfair, but felt good writing it.
This is a bad one. As bad as Missouri. And many others.
Each settlement.
Active and retired equally.
That would get their attention.
Unfair, but felt good writing it.
This is a bad one. As bad as Missouri. And many others.
1
The NYPD annual budget is close to $4.6billion. These settlements are like a rounding error.
3
No justice, no peace. A paid settlement is not justice. Until we fix the systemic issue at hand, the fight will continue-- multi-million dollar settlements and all.
140
Partial justice. The policeman should have been criminally charged.
8
Yet Pantaleo and the officers on scene abetting his murder of Mr. Garner continue in their jobs, unaccountable as ever. Shame on New York and shame on its justice system.
191
California shouldn't be so quick to judge. It was a California state trial jury that acquitted the four cops who nearly beat Rodney King to death. It took a federal jury to put two of them in prison. King sued Los Angeles and won $3.8 million, plus $1.7 million in attorneys' fees.
politicsbyeccehomo.wordpress.com
politicsbyeccehomo.wordpress.com
2
They were acquitted by a grand jury and are being investigated by several federal agencies. Are you saying they are unaccountable based on your own rules of justice?
2
A grand jury acquits no one -- only a petit jury (i.e., the jury at a criminal trial) can do that. A grand jury only votes to indict or not to indict.
It is sad and unfair what happened to Eric Garner. But giving the Garner family money from the education and parks department doesn't do anything to (1) stop this from happening again, (2) punish the perpetrators, or (3) bring him back from the dead. The city budget did not kill Eric Garner, the taxpayers did not kill Eric Garner, so why are they being penalized. These settlements are senseless.
80
Wonder how you'd feel if it were someone in your family who died this way?
3
And yet people blindly support police at every turn... no matter what crimes they commit.
2
Do you feel the same way for how the 9/11 victims were compensated as well?
2
This is a political settlement not based in law. How can you pay $6M if a grand jury doesn't even indict? The civil trial would have been in Staten Island correct? Good chance they wouldn't awarded damages.
DeBlasio and his fellow administrators should be better custodians of the city's money. I don't think the family deserves a dime.
DeBlasio and his fellow administrators should be better custodians of the city's money. I don't think the family deserves a dime.
70
OJ was acquitted and look what it cost him.
Risk mitigation......What if the grand jury came back with 25m?
Fix the cost now, before it can get put the city in a hole.
Fix the cost now, before it can get put the city in a hole.
2
Watch the video. Watch that arrogant cop choke the life out of someone who poses absolutely no threat. Arms akimbo. Then tell me what the family deserves.
2
I am disgusted that my tax dollars are paying for this. Garner resisted arrest and died as a result. Tragic, but not something that merits $5.9 million. If his family felt so wronged, let them prove their onus in court through a full civil trial. If not, kindly go away and spin your 15 minutes of fame into a book or movie deal.
86
Except he did not resist arrest.
87
Right. So it's the VICTIM'S fault he died at the (bare) hands of police. Got it.
85
I am disgusted and ashamed of your comment. So should you be.
36
what happens to the cop who just cost the taxpayers almost $6-million? do we have to keep paying him to patrol our streets and potentially set us up for another one of these?
377
He didn't cause the payout in any relevant sense. City officials did.
6
unfortunately that cop most likely filed for stress disability, is off the force, and making full pay with benefits until he dies. i hate to sound right wing , because i am a bernie supporter all the way to the white house, however, these rogue cops need to pay the price of misdeeds. no pension. no benefits. fired. finished.
11
Why is this cop not in jail? In this United States a cop can kill someone and walk without even going in front of a jury???? Does our constitution allow this?
3
Any way that can come out of the NYC Patrolmen’s Benevolent Association coffers? You know, since Patrick Lynch has been so supportive of citizens and such a force for self-policing. *sarcasm*
31
The Internet ™ enabled hash tag for sarcasm is /s my friend. No need to spell it out.
1
As a Staten Island resident I am pleased that this did not go to trial. A process that could have dragged on for years and would have always dominated the news cycle. Now that a settlement has been reached I am hopeful that all parties involved and the people of Staten Island can put this behind them an move on.
4
"A process that could have dragged on for years and would have always dominated the news cycle."
Until justice is served - which the Staten Island DA denied us - it should dominate the news cycle. Until justice is served, we shouldn't put it behind us and move on. It will continue.
Until justice is served - which the Staten Island DA denied us - it should dominate the news cycle. Until justice is served, we shouldn't put it behind us and move on. It will continue.
4
You seem to forget that someone died, here. They are not moving anywhere. Money is printed these days; We just keep on making more. That dollar we just printed, It's the same as the dollar in your pocket.
We keep making people, too. The person that was just made is a one-of-a-kind individual, and while may not be 'important' to you (or, I), does not mean he was not important to others, and surely, himself.
We keep making people, too. The person that was just made is a one-of-a-kind individual, and while may not be 'important' to you (or, I), does not mean he was not important to others, and surely, himself.
4
So a staten island resident would be sorry for a trial to be too much on the news? I think anything that would serve justice in this horrific and repugnant murder of a citizen by a cop would be worth some prolonged unpleasant news cycles.
In fact our criminal justice system seems to be one huge, prolonged bad news cycle. It sure is 'unamerican', depending on your definition.
When the video of Garner's murder kept being shown, I stopped watching it. It's too much. But we need the facts revealed in full about why this murder happened. Is it time to 'move on'? How can we stop continuing police abuse and lawlessness, unless we face the truth of this and all its implications.
In fact our criminal justice system seems to be one huge, prolonged bad news cycle. It sure is 'unamerican', depending on your definition.
When the video of Garner's murder kept being shown, I stopped watching it. It's too much. But we need the facts revealed in full about why this murder happened. Is it time to 'move on'? How can we stop continuing police abuse and lawlessness, unless we face the truth of this and all its implications.
5
New York City cannot afford cops like Daniel Pantaleo but I doubt that union rules allow the city to fire him for being a liability risk. At the very least Pantaleo's superiors, the one's who ordered rigorous enforcement sweeps against minor crimes, should suffer career death. Accountability would save the city a lot of money in the future.
49
There is something deeply wrong about the city paying out millions of dollars in what is in effect hush money. This only serves the city. It doesn't serve the victims of police and other misconduct.
199
It doesn't serve the public, and so far, nothing has really changed, unless police are now not fully committed to their jobs, as in Baltimore.
KCG - It certainly doesn't serve the taxpayers whose money is being given away by the politicians. How does one come up with a "fair" amount to give away?
2
There's a difference between the criminal and civil court system. 5.9 million dollars is an incredibly high payment for the wrongful death of anyone. And, it doesn't seem to make sense calling is "hush" money. Everyone actively protested and the wrong is still be protested. The amount is publicized on the front page of the NYT. How is that "hush" money?
1
Something is very wrong with the calculus of payouts. They appear very arbitrary and are woefully inadequate.
The family of Eric Garner, whose death was ruled a homicide, receives $5.9 million.
David Ranta, wrongly imprisoned for 23 years----"wrongly," mind you, likely meaning illegally via coercion, perjury, falsifying evidence---receives $6.4 million? 23 years is 8,395 days, which amounts to just under $763 daily for being imprisoned 24 hours a day, 365 days a year for 23 years. (And Mr. Ranta is not the only victim of the corrupt Louis Scarcella, as the NYT has diligently reported.)
These token settlements are insulting and not punitive enough. The payouts should be far more vast; and the criminal---not civil---inquiries should be red-hot and thorough.
The city of NY needs to send the message to NYPD loud and clear that abuse and corruption are intolerable and result in devastating consequences.
The family of Eric Garner, whose death was ruled a homicide, receives $5.9 million.
David Ranta, wrongly imprisoned for 23 years----"wrongly," mind you, likely meaning illegally via coercion, perjury, falsifying evidence---receives $6.4 million? 23 years is 8,395 days, which amounts to just under $763 daily for being imprisoned 24 hours a day, 365 days a year for 23 years. (And Mr. Ranta is not the only victim of the corrupt Louis Scarcella, as the NYT has diligently reported.)
These token settlements are insulting and not punitive enough. The payouts should be far more vast; and the criminal---not civil---inquiries should be red-hot and thorough.
The city of NY needs to send the message to NYPD loud and clear that abuse and corruption are intolerable and result in devastating consequences.
58
This missing issue with these payouts is that the the police don't acknowledge their wrong doings and apologize.
28
People would rather have some money today than the "right" amount at some point in the future when they may be dead.
2
By all means as long as you are willing to pay for it SM.
3
Interesting. A monetary admission to manslaughter. It's not the officer's fault - or anyone's. It's the culture. Time for change. Time for change. It's time.
15
No a settlement of a civil suit. If they won the civil suit it would be for a wrongful death, not for a criminal charge such as manslaughter.
2
5.9 million to come right out of the public school budget, the parks department, etc. It should be taken out of the police pension program until the police can show some semblance of policing themselves. This is a ridiculous, sad, avoidable tragedy, that touches many lives.
There is just no reason to need to take down anyone that hard. How is that 100 lb. ER nurses dealing with psych patients and criminals every day have the ability to talk someone into doing what they need instead of strangling them to death? Too much testosterone, not enough sense or empathy.
There is just no reason to need to take down anyone that hard. How is that 100 lb. ER nurses dealing with psych patients and criminals every day have the ability to talk someone into doing what they need instead of strangling them to death? Too much testosterone, not enough sense or empathy.
412
Excellent idea!
5
No one has ever been able to explain why police and firefighters work half a work life and then get paid vacation for the next 30 years. It made sense when they were making lower wages, but here in SF a 21 year old makes over 100k with overtime in the first year. There are plenty of things an older worker can do that does not involve heavy exertion My occupation, construction, is much harder physically than either a firefighter or police person, we all work to 65 and beyond, and we do it without whining. And no, police is not a dangerous occupation by numbers, it is actually safer than even sanitation workers, look it up...A thousand fishermen, contractors, pilots, sanitation workers etc. die for every cop, it just does not make the headlines. We don't have funerals that are fit for royals either.
I think if you looked at the budget to pay tens of thousands of guys NOT to work (pension) you would be absolutely awe-struck.
I think if you looked at the budget to pay tens of thousands of guys NOT to work (pension) you would be absolutely awe-struck.
7
Too bad that grand jury which saw the video frame by frame did not think that he was "strangled to death". I guess you know much better having seen it from San Francisco.
3
And the man who killed him won't pay a penny.
255
When American citizens kill, they in turn are killed.
When a cop kills, the taxpayers pay the victims.
The cop goes free, as always. That's why they kill all the time.
Dead men tell no tales.
When a cop kills, the taxpayers pay the victims.
The cop goes free, as always. That's why they kill all the time.
Dead men tell no tales.
157
Why isn't the racist cop paying for this out of his pocket and we, the law abiding taxpayers are? As sorry as I am for this unfortunate episode, this settlement is ludicrous.
114
Well, the Garner family can now afford to move from NYC,, and maybe his kids can get an education, and careers. Or is most of the $$ going to the lawyers?
8
You can be sure the lawyers get their typical winnings. Usually a third unless other arrangements are agreed to. I don't fault the lawyers, they work for a living.
There will plenty left for the Garner family.
But the entire thing is flawed. Its' a tragedy, with enough mistakes made by all. Mr. Garner could have been given a desk appearance ticket imho and he would still be alive with a court date and a small fine, and perhaps a slap on the wrist from the court not to sell "loosies" again.
There will plenty left for the Garner family.
But the entire thing is flawed. Its' a tragedy, with enough mistakes made by all. Mr. Garner could have been given a desk appearance ticket imho and he would still be alive with a court date and a small fine, and perhaps a slap on the wrist from the court not to sell "loosies" again.
5
I would love to see a city insist, as a condition for a settlement, that the lawyers get billable hours but no percentage. Everybody wins but the lawyers, which works for me.
3
They can also pay for a lifetime of therapy to deal with the grief of losing a loved one.
2
money isn't justice. police policies need to change to work with the black community not against them.
62
Policy starts at the top in NYPD. If the policy was not aggressive with respect to lost tax revenues for selling loose cigarettes, Mr. Garner might be alive with nothing more than a desk appearance summons. With respect to the black community, it was not targeted at Mr. Garner because he was black. Reports at the time were that a black Sergeant gave the orders to the police to arrest Mr. Garner. Once he resisted arrest, all was lost. I'm not saying what happened is justified, but it was a snowball effect and a horrible result. The police didn't intend to kill Mr. Garner.
4
police need to work with all communities, remember this isn't a black thing, it is a poverty thing - cops victimize anyone who is poor, no matter the color, uniting abused people of all backgrounds against thugs with the power of the state behind them will only be accomplished when we all fight back together.
3
Actually, it's the the criminal thugs who do most of the victimizing of poor people. Most crime victims are poor people, victimized by their peers. The police are the thin blue line that try to keep them safe from the predators. Everyone knows this is true.
4
From truly an economic point of view - even a doctor's family would not have suffered a loss of that amount should the doctor have suffered an egregious form of death.