Eric Garner's family settles claim against New York City for $5.9 Million

Portia Arthur

July 14, 2015 9:38 AM

The agreement was reached few days before the anniversary of Mr. Garner

Gwen Carr holding a photo of her late son, Eric Garner

The family of the late Eric Garner has been settled with New York City for $5.9 million on Monday, almost a year after the unarmed black man died in police custody. "We are all familiar with the events that lead to the death of Eric Garner and the extraordinary impact his passing has had on our City and our nation," N.Y.C. Comptroller, Scott M. Stringer said in a statement.

"It forced us to examine the state of race relations, and the relationship between our police force and the people they serve"."While we cannot discuss the details of this settlement, and the City has not admitted liability, I believe that we have reached an agreement that acknowledges the tragic nature of Mr. Garner’s death while balancing my office’s fiscal responsibility to the City". he added. Garner's estate had filed a claim against the city in October for damages related to his death. The 43-year-old was allegedly selling untaxed cigarettes on a Staten Island sidewalk July 17, 2014, when a group of police officers wrestled him and one put him in a chokehold. According to footage of the incident filmed by an onlooker, Garner cried, "I can't breathe!" and fell to the ground, gasping for air. He was later pronounced dead at a hospital.

Garner's death sparked nationwide protests and an outcry against policy brutality. Though it was ruled a homicide, a grand jury cleared the white police officer involved in the incident in December, deciding not to indict him.

Portia Arthur