Retired Sgt. Russell Jung appeared as a defense witness for embattled Officer Daniel Pantaleo, who’s accused of using a banned chokehold to force Garner to the ground on Staten Island nearly five years ago.
During cross-examination, Jung rejected a prosecutor’s assertion that, “Officers should not perform a maneuver that they are not trained to do, correct?”
“Where does it say that?” Jung said.
“There are a million maneuvers we use in the streets that we are not trained to do.”
The testimony prompted a loud response from Garner’s supporters in the courtroom at One Police Plaza, including derisive laughter and remarks that included, “Wow!” and “Oh, come on!”
NYPD Deputy Commissioner for Trials Rosemarie Maldonado banged her gavel to restore order and threatened to clear the courtroom if the disruption continued.
Pantaleo was caught on cellphone video taking down Garner, who repeatedly yelled “I can’t breathe!” as Pantaleo and other cops subdued him on a sidewalk for allegedly selling loose cigarettes on July 17, 2014.
The defense contends that Pantaleo used an approved “seat-belt hold” during the fatal incident.