Saturday 2 August 2014

Choke-hold death ruled homicide





  • NEW: Widow says at rally that she wants justice

  • Eric Garner died as a result of a choke hold by police, medical examiner says

  • Death sparked demonstrations and calls for a federal investigation

  • Medical examiner rules the death a homicide




(CNN) -- The New York City medical examiner's office Friday confirmed what demonstrators had been saying for weeks: A police officer's choke hold on a man being arrested for selling loose cigarettes killed him.


Eric Garner, 43, died July 17 after being confronted by police on Staten Island for allegedly selling cigarettes illegally.


During the encounter, Garner raised both hands in the air and told the officers not to touch him. Seconds later, a video shows an officer behind him grab the 350-pound man in a choke hold and pull him to the sidewalk, rolling him onto his stomach.


"I can't breathe! I can't breathe!" Garner said repeatedly, his cries muffled into the pavement.




People participate in a demonstration against the death of Eric Garner after he was taken into police custody.

People participate in a demonstration against the death of Eric Garner after he was taken into police custody.



The cause of Garner's death was "compression of neck (choke hold), compression of chest and prone positioning during physical restraint by police," said Julie Bolcer, a spokeswoman for the medical examiner's office. The death was ruled a homicide.


Acute and chronic bronchial asthma, obesity and hypertensive cardiovascular disease were listed as contributing conditions in a controversial death that sparked anti-police demonstrations and calls for a federal investigation.


On Saturday, Garner's widow, Esaw, appeared at a Harlem rally with the victim's mother, Gwen Carr, and the Rev. Al Sharpton.


"First of all, I want to thank the God above for giving us justice for my husband so that we can move forward," she said. "I met with the prosecutors and I feel like I did the right thing by doing that and I just want them to do the right thing and get me justice for my husband."


Sharpton is planning a march across the Verrazano-Narrows Bridge, which connects Brooklyn and Staten Island, for August 23.


Douglas Auer, a spokesman for the Richmond County district attorney's office, said the investigation into the death was continuing.


"We await the issuance of the official death certificate and the autopsy report," he said in a statement.


The U.S. Justice Department has said it is monitoring the investigation. If local prosecutors decline to file criminal charges, the federal justice department could conduct an investigation into whether the victim's civil rights were violated.


"The District Attorney will be examining the case to determine if the use of the choke hold was necessary to subdue and arrest Garner, or was an excessive use of force resulting in death," CNN legal analyst Paul Callan said.


A former deputy chief of homicide for the Brooklyn District Attorney's office, Callan said a choke hold does not violate state law but is prohibited by NYPD guidelines on excessive force.


Mayor Bill de Blasio Friday expressed his "deepest sympathies" to Garner's family.


"My administration will continue to work with all involved authorities, including the Richmond County District Attorney, to ensure a fair and justified outcome," he said in a statement. "We all have a responsibility to work together to heal the wounds from decades of mistrust and create a culture where the police department and the communities they protect respect each other ... I've said that we would make change, and we will. As mayor, I remain absolutely committed to ensuring that the proper reforms are enacted to ensure that this won't happen again.


The video of the incident showed the Staten Island man lying on the ground motionless after he was taken down by a group of officers. An asthmatic, Garner was later declared dead at a nearby hospital. Police said he suffered a heart attack and died on the way to the hospital.


"This is a terrible tragedy that occurred. ... A terrible tragedy that no family should have to experience," de Blasio said after the death, calling the video of the incident "very troubling."


Garner, a grandfather with six children, had a lengthy criminal history, including more than 30 arrests, and had been previously arrested for selling untaxed cigarettes in May, according to police.


But demonstrators in New York called the police response during his arrest excessive and criminal.


On July 19, Garner's friends and family rallied with Sharpton in Harlem, demanding a full investigation into Garner's death.


Officer Daniel Pantaleo, who is seen on the video choking Garner, was put on modified assignment and stripped of his badge and gun amid the investigation, the New York Police Department said. A second police officer was placed on desk duty. The choke hold tactic is prohibited by the NYPD.


Two EMTs and two paramedics also were suspended without pay, according to Erika Hellstrom, vice president of development at Richmond University Medical Center.


In a statement, Patrolmen's Benevolent Association President Patrick J. Lynch called Pantaleo's reassignment "a completely unwarranted, kneejerk reaction for political reasons." He said the move "effectively pre-judges this case and denies the officer the very benefit of a doubt that has long been part of the social contract that allows police officers to face the risks of this difficult and complex job."


On Friday, the police union expressed "sympathies and prayers" for the Garner family and said it stood "firmly in support of all police officers" put in difficult circumstances.


"Police officers don't start their days expecting or wanting something like this to occur in the performance of their duties," PBA president Patrick Lynch said in a statement. "The ME's report indicates that Mr. Garner was a man with serious health problems so there will have to be a complete and thorough analysis of all the factors that played a part in this tragedy. We believe, however, that if he had not resisted the lawful order of the police officers placing him under arrest, this tragedy would not have occurred."


Police Commissioner William Bratton ordered an extensive review of the NYPD's training procedures after Garner's death.


After a two-hour meeting with NYPD Training Commissioner Ben Tucker last week, Bratton ordered a "top to bottom review of all the training that this department provides to its personnel, specifically focusing on force, how do we train our officers for a takedown, how do we train them to use the various levels of force that they're authorized to use."


"I would anticipate that coming out of this effort that there will be a retraining of every member of the New York City Police Department in the weeks, months and potential years ahead," Bratton said.


What led to choke hold death


CNN's Shimon Prokupecz, Susan Candiotti, Julia Lull, Evan Perez and David Shortell contributed to this report.



Obama: U.S. 'crossed a line'





  • Obama talks about interrogation techniques used after 9/11

  • "I believe and I think any fair-minded person would believe (they) were torture"

  • A Senate report to be released soon details the CIA's program following the 9/11 attacks




(CNN) -- President Barack Obama acknowledged Friday that the United States "crossed a line" and tortured al Qaeda detainees after the 9/11 terror attacks.


The comments at a White House news conference were the President's strongest on the controversial subject since he came into office denouncing what he described as the Bush years of torturing alleged terrorists, also known as "enhanced interrogation."


"When we engaged in some of these enhanced interrogation techniques, techniques that I believe and I think any fair-minded person would believe were torture, we crossed a line," Obama said. "And that needs to be ... understood and accepted. And we have to, as a country, take responsibility for that so that hopefully we don't do it again in the future."


In the remarks, Obama was referring to a soon-to-be-released Senate Intelligence Committee report detailing the CIA's controversial interrogation and detention program following the 9/11 attacks.





Obama: 'We tortured some folks'




Book: CIA used torture to get intel




Cheney: Lawyers said we didn't torture




Does enhanced interrogation work?

The document is a nearly 700 page summary of the full 6,800 page report that was approved a year and a half ago by a committee sharply divided along party lines.


Senators on the committee have said the report is critical of the CIA's treatment of terrorism suspects, saying it amounted to torture -- an allegation CIA officials have denied. It also finds that those harsh interrogation techniques did not help disrupt future terrorist attacks as many in intelligence community have claimed.


Sen. Dianne Feinstein said later Friday that the report's public release will be delayed because of "significant redactions" by the CIA.


"We need additional time to understand the basis for these redactions and determine their justification," the California Democrat said in a statement. "Therefore, the report will be held until further notice and released when that process is completed."


The report was returned to the committee Friday. Its creation has been controversial, with the CIA director apologizing after admitting that the agency spied on computers used by Senate staffers who prepared it. A public version was expected to be released as early as next week.


In January 2009, President Obama issued an executive order disavowing torture and established a Special Task Force on Interrogation and Transfer Policies. Details of those findings have never been made public.


"After I took office, one of the first things I did was to ban some of the extraordinary interrogation techniques that are the subject of that report," Obama said Friday. "And my hope is that this report reminds us once again that, you know, the character of our country has to be measured in part not by what we do when things are easy, but what we do when things are hard."


In April 2009, Obama reiterated his position that waterboarding amounted to torture and "violates our ideals and our values."


"That's why I put an end to these practices," he said at the time. "I am absolutely convinced it was the right thing to do -- not because there might not have been information that was yielded by these various detainees who were subjected to this treatment, but because we could have gotten this information in other ways, in ways that were consistent with our values, in ways that were consistent with who we are."



What's new on Netflix and Amazon






It's the beginning of the month, and that means new streaming films and TV shows from Netflix and Amazon Prime. One show that refused to die is the twice-canceled <strong>"The Killing,"</strong> which has been resurrected for its fourth and final season this month. <strong>(Netflix) </strong>It's the beginning of the month, and that means new streaming films and TV shows from Netflix and Amazon Prime. One show that refused to die is the twice-canceled "The Killing," which has been resurrected for its fourth and final season this month. (Netflix)

<strong>"Air Bud" </strong>and<strong> "Air Bud: Golden Receiver" (1997, 1998):</strong> A boy and his sports-playing dog make for delightful viewing in these two family films. <strong>(Netflix) </strong>"Air Bud" and "Air Bud: Golden Receiver" (1997, 1998): A boy and his sports-playing dog make for delightful viewing in these two family films. (Netflix)

<strong>"The Mighty Ducks" (1992):</strong> The heartwarming tale of an attorney sentenced to coach a lackluster kids' hockey team will cheer your heart. <strong>(Netflix) </strong>"The Mighty Ducks" (1992): The heartwarming tale of an attorney sentenced to coach a lackluster kids' hockey team will cheer your heart. (Netflix)

<strong>"D2: The Mighty Ducks" (1994):</strong> The lovable underdogs of the ice return in this sequel to the 1992 film. <strong>(Netflix) </strong>"D2: The Mighty Ducks" (1994): The lovable underdogs of the ice return in this sequel to the 1992 film. (Netflix)

<strong>"Ella Enchanted" (2004):</strong> A young girl seeks to lift a curse and find her Prince Charming in this popular film. <strong>(Netflix and Amazon) </strong>"Ella Enchanted" (2004): A young girl seeks to lift a curse and find her Prince Charming in this popular film. (Netflix and Amazon)

<strong>"Evita" (1996):</strong> Don't cry for her, Argentina. This film version of the musical, starring Madonna, centers on the woman who would become first lady of Argentina. <strong>(Netflix)</strong>"Evita" (1996): Don't cry for her, Argentina. This film version of the musical, starring Madonna, centers on the woman who would become first lady of Argentina. (Netflix)

<strong>"The Cider House Rules" (1999):</strong> Based on a John Irving novel of the same name, this drama tells the story of a young doctor raised and trained in an orphanage who leaves to see the world. <strong>(Amazon) </strong>"The Cider House Rules" (1999): Based on a John Irving novel of the same name, this drama tells the story of a young doctor raised and trained in an orphanage who leaves to see the world. (Amazon)

<strong>"Face/Off" (1997):</strong> So much action, so much gunplay and not a little plastic surgery are at the center of this John Woo-directed film starring Nicolas Cage and John Travolta. <strong>(Netflix) </strong>"Face/Off" (1997): So much action, so much gunplay and not a little plastic surgery are at the center of this John Woo-directed film starring Nicolas Cage and John Travolta. (Netflix)

<strong>"Beowulf" (2007</strong>): A warrior must defeat a monster who is destroying a town. <strong>(Amazon) </strong>"Beowulf" (2007): A warrior must defeat a monster who is destroying a town. (Amazon)

<strong>"Freaky Friday" (2003</strong>): Mayhem ensues when and mother and daughter (Jamie Lee Curtis and Lindsay Lohan) swap bodies. <strong>(Netflix) </strong>"Freaky Friday" (2003): Mayhem ensues when and mother and daughter (Jamie Lee Curtis and Lindsay Lohan) swap bodies. (Netflix)

<strong>"Goodbye World" (2013):</strong> After an attack causes the world's energy grid to fail, a group forms a sanctuary that is threatened by outsiders. <strong>(Netflix) </strong>"Goodbye World" (2013): After an attack causes the world's energy grid to fail, a group forms a sanctuary that is threatened by outsiders. (Netflix)

<strong>"Kinky Boots" (2005):</strong> A line of sexy men's boots, an over-the-top cabaret dancer and a shoe factory. Enough said. The Tony-winning musical was based on this film. <strong>(Netflix) </strong>"Kinky Boots" (2005): A line of sexy men's boots, an over-the-top cabaret dancer and a shoe factory. Enough said. The Tony-winning musical was based on this film. (Netflix)

<strong>"Mad Max" (1979):</strong> The story of a post-apocalyptic cop out to avenge his family made Mel Gibson a star. <strong>(Netflix and Amazon) </strong>"Mad Max" (1979): The story of a post-apocalyptic cop out to avenge his family made Mel Gibson a star. (Netflix and Amazon)

<strong>All five "Rocky" films (1976-90):</strong> Settle in for a marathon of these films about a boxing champion (Sylvester Stallone) with a heart of gold. <strong>(Netflix and Amazon)</strong>All five "Rocky" films (1976-90): Settle in for a marathon of these films about a boxing champion (Sylvester Stallone) with a heart of gold. (Netflix and Amazon)

<strong>"The Greatest Story Ever Told" (1965):</strong> This retelling of the story of Jesus Christ is a favorite among fans. <strong>(Amazon) </strong>"The Greatest Story Ever Told" (1965): This retelling of the story of Jesus Christ is a favorite among fans. (Amazon)

<strong>"Rounders" (1998):</strong> The poker stakes are high in this movie about a law student who befriends a fellow gambling addict and a club owner. <strong>(Netflix and Amazon) </strong>"Rounders" (1998): The poker stakes are high in this movie about a law student who befriends a fellow gambling addict and a club owner. (Netflix and Amazon)

<strong>"Sabrina" (1995):</strong> This romance is an updated remake of the classic 1954 film. <strong>(Netflix and Amazon) </strong>"Sabrina" (1995): This romance is an updated remake of the classic 1954 film. (Netflix and Amazon)

<strong>"The Newton Boys" (1998):</strong> The tale of a phenomenally successful bank-robbing family. Directed by Richard Linklater. <strong>(Amazon) </strong>"The Newton Boys" (1998): The tale of a phenomenally successful bank-robbing family. Directed by Richard Linklater. (Amazon)

<strong>"Shooter" (2007):</strong> An expert marksman finds himself marked in this action-packed film.<strong> (Netflix) </strong>"Shooter" (2007): An expert marksman finds himself marked in this action-packed film. (Netflix)

<strong>"The Birdcage" (1996</strong>): A gay couple engages in a farce for the sake of their soon-to-be-married son. Based on the French classic "La Cage aux Folles." <strong>(Netflix and Amazon)</strong>"The Birdcage" (1996): A gay couple engages in a farce for the sake of their soon-to-be-married son. Based on the French classic "La Cage aux Folles." (Netflix and Amazon)

<strong>"The Cable Guy</strong>" (1996): An enthusiastic cable guy turns stalker in this comedy, which helped cement Jim Carrey's career as a funny guy. <strong>(Netflix) </strong>"The Cable Guy" (1996): An enthusiastic cable guy turns stalker in this comedy, which helped cement Jim Carrey's career as a funny guy. (Netflix)

<strong>"The Gabby Douglas Story" (2014):</strong> A dramatization of the story of Olympian Gabby Douglas, who made history during the 2012 Summer Olympics.<strong> (Netflix) </strong>"The Gabby Douglas Story" (2014): A dramatization of the story of Olympian Gabby Douglas, who made history during the 2012 Summer Olympics. (Netflix)

<strong>"Justin Bieber's Believe" (2014):</strong> Try to keep a true Belieber away from this Justin Bieber tour film, a followup to his "Never Say Never" film. We dare you.<strong> (Netflix) </strong>"Justin Bieber's Believe" (2014): Try to keep a true Belieber away from this Justin Bieber tour film, a followup to his "Never Say Never" film. We dare you. (Netflix)

<strong>"Cosmos: A Space-Time Odyssey" (2014):</strong> This reboot of the TV series features astrophysicist Neil deGrasse Tyson. Fans think it's pretty out of this world. <strong>(Netflix) </strong>"Cosmos: A Space-Time Odyssey" (2014): This reboot of the TV series features astrophysicist Neil deGrasse Tyson. Fans think it's pretty out of this world. (Netflix)

<strong>"Parenthood: Season 5" (2013):</strong> Critics and fans alike have embraced this TV dramedy about family life. <strong>(Netflix) </strong>"Parenthood: Season 5" (2013): Critics and fans alike have embraced this TV dramedy about family life. (Netflix)

<strong>"Barbershop 2: Back in Business"</strong> (2004): The sequel to 2002's very successful "Barbershop" once again takes viewers inside the funny world of a Chicago cuttery. This time around, a new upscale salon threatens the shop. <strong>(Netflix) </strong>"Barbershop 2: Back in Business" (2004): The sequel to 2002's very successful "Barbershop" once again takes viewers inside the funny world of a Chicago cuttery. This time around, a new upscale salon threatens the shop. (Netflix)

<strong>"Once Upon a Time: Season 3" (2013):</strong> A tiny town in Maine is the setting for a real life fairy-tale world. <strong>(Netflix) </strong>"Once Upon a Time: Season 3" (2013): A tiny town in Maine is the setting for a real life fairy-tale world. (Netflix)

<strong>"Revenge: Season 4" (2014):</strong> The continuing saga of a woman out to avenge the death of her father. So twisted and so good. <strong>(Netflix) </strong>"Revenge: Season 4" (2014): The continuing saga of a woman out to avenge the death of her father. So twisted and so good. (Netflix)








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  • Netflix and Amazon Prime have new programs streaming in August

  • There feature everything from classics to original programming

  • "The Killing" gets its final season on Netflix




(CNN) -- Netflix and Amazon are adding titles to their streaming options in August.


From classics to new episodes of beloved series, it's all here for your viewing pleasure with this month's schedule of releases:


Here' s what to look for on Netflix:


August 1:


"Air Bud" (1997)


"Air Bud: Golden Receiver" (1998)


"D2: The Mighty Ducks" (1994)


"Ella Enchanted" (2004)


"Evita" (1996)


"Face/Off" (1997)


"Freaky Friday" (2003)


"Goodbye World" (2013)


"Harlock: Space Pirate" (2013)


"Kinky Boots" (2005)


"Mad Max" (1979)


"Mean Creek" (2004)


"Prefontaine" (1997)


"Red Dawn" (1984)


"Rocky," "Rocky II," "Rocky III," "Rocky IV," "Rocky V" (1976-90)


"Rounders" (1998)


"Sabrina" (1995)


"Saints and Soldiers" (2003)


"Shooter" (2007)


"Sky Captain and the World of Tomorrow" (2004)


"Spark: A Burning Man Story" (2013)


"Spice World" (1998)


"Switchfoot: Fading West" (2012)


"The Birdcage" (1996)


"The Cable Guy" (1996)


"The Gabby Douglas Story "(2014)


"The Killing: Season 4" (2014)


"The Mighty Ducks" (1992)


"Turner and Hooch" (1989)


"Voyage to the Bottom of the Sea" (1961)


August 6:


"Justin Bieber's Believe" (2014)


August 7:


"Cosmos: A Space-Time Odyssey" (2014)


"Nymphomaniac: Volume I" (2013)


"Nymphomaniac: Volume II" (2013)


"Stage Fright" (2014)


August 9:


"Kill Zombie" (2011)


August 12:


"Dancing in Jaffa" (2013)


"Haven: Season 4" (2013)


"Low Winter Sun: Season 1" (2013)


August 13:


"The Nut Job" (2014)


August 14:


"Bad Ass 2: Bad Asses" (2014)


August 15:


"Great Expectations" (2012)


"Mission Blue" (2014)


August 16:


"Dead Silence" (2007)


August 18:


"Thanks for Sharing" (2012)


August 19:


"From Dusk Till Dawn: Season 1" (2014)


August 20:


"Dhoom: 3" (2013)


August 22:


"BoJack Horseman: Season 1" (2014)


August 25:


"Parenthood: Season 5" (2013)


August 26:


"Barbershop 2: Back in Business" (2004)


"The Motel Life" (2012)


August 29:


"Once Upon a Time: Season 3" (2013)


"Revenge: Season 4" (2014)


And here's what to look for on Amazon Prime:


August 1:


"Confessions of a Dangerous Mind" (2002)


"Night Watch" (2004)


"Day Watch" (2006)


"Beowulf" (2007)


"The Dogs of War" (1980)


"King Solomon's Mines" (1985)


"Mad Max" (1979)


"Enemy" (2013)


"House of Games" (1987)


"Red Dawn" (1984)


"Layer Cake" (2004)


"Brannigan" (1975)


"Rocky" (1976)


"Rocky II" (1979)


"Rocky III" (1982)


"Rocky IV" (1985)


"Rocky V" (1990)


"The Cider House Rules" (1999)


"Newton Boys" (1998)


"Rounders" (1998)


"The Greatest Story Ever Told" (1965)


"Waking Ned Devine" (1998)


"The Birdcage" (1996)


"Sabrina" (1995)


"Trees Lounge" (1996)


"The Prince & Me 2" (2007)


"Ella Enchanted" (2004)


"Orca: The Killer Whale" (1977)


"American Experience: The Poisoner's Handbook" (2014)


"Hawking" (2014)


"Spies of Mississippi" (2014)


"The Amish: Shunned" (2014)


"The State of Arizona" (2013)


August 5:


"Fireman Sam Season 3" (1990)


August 11:


"You're Next" (2011)


"The Great Debaters " (2007)


"Thanks for Sharing" (2012)


August 29:


"Tumble Leaf "(2014)