Fox News host Bill O'Reilly said after seeing the video of Eric Garner being subdued by New York City police that he would have let up once the suspect complained he couldn't breathe.
"The officers wanted to place handcuffs on Mr. Garner, and they were initially cautious. But when they moved in, the worst happened," O'Reilly said Wednesday on
"The O'Reilly Factor."
At that point, Patrolman Daniel Pantaleo placed Garner in a chokehold and brought him down. Garner can be heard on video saying, "I can't breathe." He later died, and a coroner's ruling determined that restrictions in his breathing contributed to his death.
"I was extremely troubled," O'Reilly said. "I would have loosened my grip. I desperately wish the officer would have done that."
Garner, who was being arrested for allegedly selling untaxed cigarettes on the street, should not have resisted, O'Reilly said, "but all Americans . . . should pity Mr. Garner and his family. He did not deserve what happened to him."
A grand jury declined to indict the officer on Wednesday, sparking protests just nine days after nationwide protests began after a grand jury in Missouri failed to indict white police officer Darren Wilson in the shooting death of black man Michael Brown, 18.
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