More than two dozen New York lawmakers are urging a state appeals court to order the release of secret grand jury testimony concerning the police chokehold death of a Staten Island man last year.
Their brief at the Appellate Division says New York City Public Advocate Letitia James has shown a compelling and particular need for disclosure in this case that would inform legislative proposals to reform the criminal justice system.
Judge William Garnett refused the request by James and others to release the testimony in the death of Eric Garner, saying they hadn't met that threshold.
The unarmed Garner's fatal confrontation was videotaped by a bystander and widely watched.
It shows Officer Daniel Pantaleo putting Garner in what the medical examiner called a fatal chokehold.
No officers were indicted.
