The case of the death of a black man suspended after the judge ordered his dismissal

The landmark case sparked "Black Lives Matter" protests across the country calling for police to be held responsible for the deaths of unarmed African-Americans in custody or under arrest.

New York:

A New York City police officer was suspended on Friday after a judge recommended that he be fired for placing a black man in a banned strangulation device just before his death five years ago.

The landmark case sparked "Black Lives Matter" protests across the country calling for police to be held responsible for the deaths of unarmed African-Americans in custody or under arrest.

Deputy commissioner and administrative judge of the NYPD department, Rosemarie Maldonado, oversaw the disciplinary process of Officer Daniel Pantaleo, who was accused of contributing to the death of Eric Garner, 43, in an arrest on 17 July 2014.

His recommendation to fire him will be considered by New York Police Commissioner James O'neill, who will have the final say. Pantaleo was suspended pending the decision, announced the police department.

Expectations of the results are high, especially in the African-American community, especially since Pantaleo has not been charged for his involvement in this case.

"Today we have finally seen a step forward in the direction of justice and accountability," said Mayor Bill de Blasio, who wishes to run for the Democratic presidency.

"And I hope that this will bring the Garner family a sense of closure and the beginning of some peace," he added.

Four officers tried to stop Garner, suspected of illegally selling cigarettes on a sidewalk on Staten Island.

In a video recorded by a bystander, posted online and turned viral, Pantaleo can be seen putting his arm firmly around Garner's neck and shoving the much larger suspect into the sidewalk before releasing him.

Meanwhile, another officer leaned Garner's head against the sidewalk.

Garner, who resisted arrest but was unarmed, complained 11 times that he could not breathe - a refrain that would become a rallying cry for protesters.

Garner appeared to be unconscious and the father of six children was taken to hospital where he was pronounced dead.

On July 16, the United States Department of Justice ruled that Pantaleo would not face federal charges, a decision Garner's family called an "insult."

The decision was made after the victim's family had appealed to the Department of justice to determine whether criminal or civil rights charges could be brought against one or more of the case officers.
In December 2014, a grand jury in New York state ruled that there was insufficient evidence to support charges of manslaughter against Pantaleo, while Garner suffered from heart disease and asthma that could have caused his death.