Brooklyn Boro

Police chokehold death raised during Donovan-Gentile congressional debate

April 15, 2015 By Deepti Hajela Associated Press
Republican Daniel Donovan (photo left) and Democrat Vincent Gentile (photo right) debated on Tuesday night. Donovan photo courtesy of Donovan campaign. Gentile photo by Paula Katinas
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Congressional candidate Dan Donovan defended his role in the grand jury investigation into the police chokehold death of unarmed black man Eric Garner that resulted in no charges during a televised debateon Tuesday.

Donovan, the Staten Island district attorney, and Vincent Gentile, a city councilman, are vying for the House seat vacated by disgraced former U.S. Rep. Michael Grimm.

Donovan, a Republican, led the grand jury investigation into Garner’s videotaped death after a confrontation with a white police officer. When no officers were indicted, there were major protests across the city.

Garner’s death was part of the subject of the first question. Donovan was asked if he thinks any state laws need to be changed in the wake of grand jury testimony not being released. He has said state law keeps him from releasing grand jury information, and a judge ruled last month against efforts from some people to unseal them. At the debate, he said the secrecy of the grand jury is important to persuade witnesses to come forward without being afraid of retribution.

He said he wouldn’t do anything differently.

“We actually presented a fair and impartial presentation over nine weeks to 23 citizens,” he said.

Gentile, a Democrat, said Donovan had consented to grand jury minutes being released in another case in 2012, before a judge denied the release.

“If he wasn’t concerned about the witnesses in that case, in 2012, then one has to argue, what concern did he have for witnesses in this case,” Gentile asked.

He asked if the concern was actually “trying to avoid some criticism of himself and his office.”

Donovan said he didn’t know what case Gentile was referring to.

Garner’s death was referenced even before the debate got started when an audience member called out, “I can’t breathe,” a reference to Garner’s last words. And at the end of the debate, as Gentile was giving his closing remarks, a woman yelled, “Black lives matter.”

The candidates also were asked about the city’s Superstorm Sandy recovery programs and how they would address the district’s infrastructure needs. Other subjects included the minimum wage and who they supported in the presidential race.

Tuesday night’s hourlong debate was co-hosted by the Staten Island Advance and NY1. The special election is set for May 5.

The 11th Congressional district covers Staten Island and part of Brooklyn.

Grimm, a Republican, resigned after pleading guilty to federal tax evasion in December.

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