[FunkyZero]

That's a Drudge headline trick. He wasn't murdered over loose cigarettes. His death was accidental and it happened because a) he was resisting law enforcement and b) the cops used disproportionate force in order to detain him. I grudgingly agree with the decision on this case, it follows the guidelines of the law. That does not, however, mean i think that what happened was right or just. I think the cops were far too aggressive and did not have any regard for the injuries they were or could cause.

The police often get forced into this situation because you can't just throw up your hands and allow a criminal to walk away, regardless of the crime. The only real factors should be when the methods used to detain the person put the public at risk or cause disproportionate injuries to the suspect. Of course, that part is simply my humble opinion, not the law of policy.

[Alberta's Child]

Good post. I also suspect that the wide range of complicating factors in this case related to Garner’s health were a big reason why the police officers weren’t indicted. Based on what I’ve read about Garner’s medical condition, he was just as likely to die standing on a street corner at any given moment.

[rstrahan]

Response of force should be proportionate to the crime. Instead of arresting him, he should have been given a ticket, max, and told to move on. Instead, a force of several police officers were called in, resulting in a violent take-down and the man’s death.

Was it murder? No, but it was clearly involuntary homicide, as their actions resulted in his death. If an individual that was not a police officer did the same thing, you can bet charges would have been filed.

[JimRed]

His death was accidental and it happened because a) he was resisting law enforcement and b) the cops used disproportionate force in order to detain him. Plus c) his morbid obesity and accompanying physical problems made him a prime candidate for death from the slightest stress.