Daniel Pantaleo, officer who took down Eric Garner: I ‘never used a chokehold’

Daniel Pantaleo, the New York police officer who was captured on video wrapping his arms around Eric Garner’s neck to subdue him in a street arrest, told internal investigators that he didn’t actually use a chokehold — he used a “takedown” maneuver.

“He indicated he never used a chokehold,” said his attorney, Stuart London, who was present at the interview with several investigators, CNN reported. “He used a takedown technique he was taught in the academy. He said he never exerted any pressure on the windpipe and never intended to injure Mr. Garner.”

Mr. London explained that Officer Pantaleo — who was not indicted for any actions that led to Garner’s death at a hospital about an hour later — was simply trying to apprehend “someone who was noncompliant,” he said, CNN reported.

Mr. London also said Officer Pantaleo’s interview with investigators went smoothly and that “he was confident and related the facts in an accurate and professional manner,” CNN reported.

A cellphone video of the July arrest shows Officer Pantaleo wrapping his arm around Garner’s neck, after which Garner yelled several times, “I can’t breathe.”

Garner died after the altercation, and a medical examiner ruled the death a homicide, CNN reported. New York police, meanwhile, have since been ordered by the commissioner to attend a three-day training session on the proper use of force with suspects, CNN said.