Exactly what does a cop have to do to get indicted in the United States?  A grand jury in Staten Island, New York declined to indict a white police officer for causing the death of a black suspect via an unauthorized choke hold while the dying man repeatedly pleaded, “I can’t breath.”  And it’s not like any facts were in question – the whole, revolting killing was caught clearly on video.

The grand jury found “no reasonable cause” to indict officer Daniel Pantaleo, who was part of a large group of cops who tackled Eric Garner for allegedly selling untaxed cigarettes.  Not truckloads of cigarettes, not cartons, not packs – he was selling loosies (individual smokes) on the street for a few pennies each.  That’s why he was surrounded by cops, and brought to the ground.

Many officials expected the grand jury to return an indictment against Pantaleo, and there was intense disappointment after the surprise announcement.  Eric Garner’s loved ones were also floored.

“Oh, my God, are you serious?” said Esaw Garner, Eric Garner’s widow.  “I’m very disappointed.  You can see in the video that he (the cop) was dead wrong!”

The NYPD banned the use of the chokehold in 1993, because people tend to die.  A New York City cop who killed a suspect with a chokehold the following year was sentenced to 7-1/2 years in prison for violating his subject’s civil rights – but that only happened because civil rights cases are pursued by the Federal Government, whereas murder charges are usually a state and local matter.

Because the Feds tend to get the results the local prosecutors can’t or won’t get, New York City Mayor Bill DeBlasio is calling for a Federal civil rights investigation of the killing of Eric Garner.