(2 Aug 2019) The head of New York City's largest police union says an administrative judge's recommendation to fire Officer Daniel Pantaleo over the 2014 chokehold death of Eric Garner is "ludicrous."
Police Benevolent Association President Pat Lynch said Friday that if O'Neill goes along with the recommendation it "will freeze this police department."
Lynch accused the judge of ignoring the evidence and trampling Pantaleo's due process rights. He said the decision tells officers that they're expendable.
A lawyer for the officer accused of using a chokehold in the death of Eric Garner says the officer is disappointed an administrative judge recommended his firing. But the lawyer says he remains cautiously optimistic the officer ultimately won't be dismissed.
Attorney Stuart London said Friday that Officer Daniel Pantaleo did nothing wrong and plans to keep fighting for his job.
He has about two weeks to submit a response before Police Commissioner James O'Neill makes a final decision.
London says he'll appeal to a court if Pantaleo is fired.
Garner's dying pleas of "I can't breathe" in 2014 became a rallying cry against police brutality.
The police department says Commissioner James O'Neill will make a final decision on punishment this month.

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