City Of New York Approves $4 Million Payment To Eric Garner's Family
Photo Credit: Sam Costanza for New York Daily News
No amount of money will bring back the life of Eric Garner, unfortunately. However, in what has to be looked at as a victory for his family, New York City has reached a settlement to pay $5.9 million to resolve a wrongful-death claim over Eric’s killing by NYPD.
Last year, Mr. Garner’s relatives, including his widow, Esaw Garner, and his mother, Gwen Carr filed a notice of claim against the city seeking $75 million in damages. The family gave the city a deadline of Friday July 17th (the one-year anniversary of Eric’s death) to come to an agreement, or the relatives would move forward with the lawsuit. Late Monday night, the city Comptroller, Scott M. Stringer announced the settlement:
“Mr. Garner’s death is a touchstone in our city’s history and in the history of the entire nation… Financial compensation is certainly not everything, and it can’t bring Mr. Garner back. But it is our way of creating balance and giving a family a certain closure.”
The family of Eric Garner is expected to discuss the settlement at a news conference Tuesday morning at the offices of the National Action Network, led by Rev. Al Sharpton.
Several inquiries into Mr. Garner’s death by the United State’s attorney’s office, the Civilian Complaint Review Board, and more are still pending. The Police Department’s internal investigation has concluded, but they are yet to share whether any officers will be disciplined.
Head to the New York Times for more details, and look for an update after the press conference.
