Almost a year after Eric Garner's controversial death, New York City settled a case brought by Garner's relatives, agreeing Monday to pay $5.9 million.
Garner's July 17 death during a clash with police "forced us to examine the state of race relations, and the relationship between our police force and the people they serve," city Comptroller Scott M. Stringer said in a statement announcing the settlement.
Cellphone video captured the 43-year-old father of six arguing with police as an officer tried to arrest him on suspicion of selling untaxed cigarettes on the sidewalk in the Tompkinsville section of Staten Island, N.Y.
Officer Daniel Pantaleo can be seen wrestling with Garner in the video, and he places Garner in what some have called a chokehold as the two tumble to the ground.
"I can't breathe," Garner can be heard saying as he gasps for air.
Garner's death was ruled a homicide due to compression of the neck and chest. A grand jury ultimately declined to indict Pantaleo.
Garner's family has claimed that officers from the department's 120th precinct routinely harassed him, and they filed a claim against the city last October.
In settling the claim, the city did not admit liability.
Times staff writer James Queally contributed to this report.
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