I have an issue with the Eric Garner case
My issue is not one of race or oppression or anything, but one of physiology. I can't seem to wrap my mind around how a choke hold could have killed him. Before you start giving me anon hate about how the brain needs air or some shit, hear me out. I've watched the video several times and Garner is in the choke hold roughly 17.5 seconds. That's not that long really. Most people can hold their breath significantly longer than this. There is of course the issue of blood flow, but again, 17 seconds should not have killed the man. I used to practice martial arts and we used choke holds all the time. They were my personal favorite type of submission. Before you call me violent, here's why: unlike most other submission techniques, choke holds were relatively safe. Instead of putting the integrity of the bones and ligaments of vital joints in jeopardy, a choke would simply reduce blood flow to the brain, enticing the victim to either "tap out" or pass out. If they pass out, they wake back up, maybe a little dizzy. I personally have been caught in a choke hold for about a minute and a half, and i fought my way out of it eventually. 17 seconds really isn't that long. So why didn't Eric Garner pass out?
This leads me to believe that Garner had some serious medical complications that lead to his death. I'm not saying that the cops should walk free. They could have handled the situation much better and not have used a choke hold. However, I don't know that I would pin the direct cause of death on the choke.
If someone knows more than I, please feel free to message me or add onto this post. However, I do ask that all statements in regards to Garners condition be backed with sources just for legitimacy.
