Now we see body-cam video of the police officer in NYC who subdued a large black man who was "resisting arrest". The grand jury decided to no-bill the officer after the subject died as the result of choking/asphyxiation. I would love to know what the grand jury heard that would lead them to override what they saw on the video. It seems like pretty convincing evidence to me.
At least 5 officers had their man surrounded. His "resisting arrest" consisted of backing up with his hands in the air in a non-threatening manner. One officer came up from behind and put a choke hold on him, taking him down. The man repeatedly complained that he couldn't breathe while several officers cuffed him, and several others stood and watched. He was on the ground with his face kissing the pavement. His outstretched hand/fingers still didn't seem threatening. He looked desperate.
With that much manpower on the spot, and with the guy repeatedly saying "I can't breathe", I wonder why #99 couldn't back off some? Wasn't he sufficiently subdued by then? If there is other relevant evidence off-camera that we can't see, I wish the authorities would release it because this looks like a pretty cut-and-dried wrongful death to me. The damage this is causing goes way beyond a monetary settlement with the family.
I don't know about NYC, but I do know that many cities are facing extremely difficult police recruiting challenges. They want to keep their education/background/training requirements high, but I suspect they are dumbing down their standards to meet their numbers. That is a recipe for disaster.
Don't cops know....doesn't EVERYBODY know....that pretty much everything they do outside their own home is likely to be captured on video? Count on it!
Yes to body cameras. Now, more than ever!
S
