N. Y. cop accused in Garner choking

new york » Asergeant has been stripped of her gun and badge and charged internally in the July 2014 chokehold death of Eric Garner, the first official accusation of wrongdoing in the case that helped spark a national movement on the role of race in policing.

New York Police Department Sgt. Kizzy Adonis was one of the supervising officers at the scene of Garner’s death on Staten Island during an arrest on suspicion of selling loose, untaxed cigarettes. She was not part of the team out investigating that day but heard the radio call and was nearby and responded to the scene. Adonis is black, and so was Garner.

Officials said Friday that Adonis was charged with failure to supervise, an internal disciplinary sanction. Sgt. Ed Mullins, the head of her union, called the charge ridiculous and political.

“She didn’t have to go there — she chose to go there to help out, and look what happens,” he said, adding it was-Commissioner William Bratton, not Adonis, who is to blame. “This incident stems from failed policies that ultimately led to the death of Eric Garner.”

Garner, an asthmatic father of six, was seen yelling, “I can’t breathe!” 11 times before losing consciousness.

No one has been charged criminally. Officer Daniel Pantaleo, who is white and who applied the hold, remains on desk duty.

A grand jury refused to indict him on criminal charges. The chokehold is banned under NYPD policy.