Delay in hearing to release Eric Garner grand jury records
Judicial Recusal and Chance of Settlement
A public hearing scheduled for Dec. 19 on the petition to release the Eric Garner grand jury records has been delayed because the presiding judge has recused himself from all proceedings. The Staten Island judge cited concerns that his wife’s employment may cause an appearance of impropriety.
Staten Island Supreme Court Justice Stephen J. Rooney announced last week that he will remove himself from all Garner-related proceedings since his wife, Kathryn K. Rooney, is a board chairwoman of the hospital Richmond University Medical Center (RUMC).
Emergency care workers from RUMC responded to the calls for Garner, who died after NYPD Officer Daniel Pantaleo placed Garner into a chokehold. The chokehold and response immediately succeeding were captured on cellphone video.