“Depends on what the definition of choke is.”
There are many types of chokes and just because the cop didnt use the one that NYC banned doesn’t mean it wasnt a “choke”. The real issue is that GARNER WAS NOT CHOKED TO DEATH. The choke was applied for a few seconds during which he never lost consciousness. The choke is therefore a red herring being used by REDS to stir up trouble. He seems to have died from positional asphyxiation which the cops should have been aware of as a risk for someone that size and that means possible negligent homicide.
It wasn’t a choke, because it wasn’t a choke. The cop never tried to choke him.
And yes, i’d agree that he died of postional asphyxia or possibly a heart attack that resulted from the arrest.
However, trying to pin the man’s death on that single cop is wrong.