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USA Today reports the city of New York settled the Eric Garner wrongful death case with his family.  Though they originally sought $75 million, Monday (July 13), the city agreed to pay the Garners $5.9 million.  Just days before the 1-year anniversary of his death a settlement has been reached.  July 17, 2014 Staten Island police killed the unarmed father of six for allegedly selling untaxed cigarettes.

Last week a payout of $5 million was rejected by the Garners and the city had until the Friday on the 17th, to settle the case before they filed a lawsuit.  However, this isn't over by a long shot. Saturday July 18, Eric Garners family will lead a rally in front of the U.S Attorney's Brooklyn office to try and get a federal case to be brought against the officers responsible for his death.

Speaking of which, it was NYPD officer David Pantaleo's illegal choke hold that ultimately caused Eric Garners death.  As a matter of fact according to USA Today, New York's medical examiner ruled Garner's death was in fact a homicide.  That ruling didn't hold much weight, because a Staten Island grand jury still declined to indict the officer last December.  Hopefully this Saturday's rally will change that.

(Photo by Kena Betancur/Getty Images)
(Photo by Kena Betancur/Getty Images)
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As you know the tragic event was caught on tape and in spite of Garners pleas he could'nt breathe, the officer ignored him and continued to choke him.  As Garner struggled to breath, the other officers wrestled to keep him penned to the ground.

USA Today reports, New York's public advocate Letitia James, called the settlement an important first step in achieving justice for Garner's family.  She said, she hoped it would bring them "a level of closure."

Meanwhile, New York Mayor  Bill de Blasio acknowledged Garners upcoming anniversary was "on the mind of many New Yorkers."  He told reporters that the cities police are being retrained and the department was moving forward on equipping officers with body cameras, among other measures.
Keep you posted on Saturday's rally results.  In the meantime LISTEN LIVE for more on today's Wire.  Plus, find out what celebs are celebrating birthday's today.

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