Estimated read time: Less than a minute
This archived news story is available only for your personal, non-commercial use. Information in the story may be outdated or superseded by additional information. Reading or replaying the story in its archived form does not constitute a republication of the story.
WASHINGTON (AP) — Attorney General Eric Holder says the Justice Department has been in touch with the family of a New York City man who died in police custody after an officer placed him in an apparent chokehold.
In a statement Friday, Holder called the death of Eric Garner "tragic" and said the Justice Department was "closely monitoring" the city's investigation.
A funeral service was held Friday for Garner. He died last week on Staten Island.
An amateur video shows a plainclothes police officer placing him in what appears be a chokehold. Autopsy results are pending.
Police had suspected Garner of selling loose, untaxed cigarettes on the street.
Copyright © The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.