A New York City police officer will not be charged in connection with the death of a Bronx man last November.
Attorney General Eric Schneiderman investigated and determined that charges aren’t warranted because Ariel Galarza threatened officers with a glass bottle. Sergeant William Melrose used a Taser on Galarza when he refused to drop the bottle. Galarza continued to struggle and the Taser was used twice more, with Galarza then going into cardiac arrest.
“We send our deepest condolences to the family of Mr. Galarza, whose death was a tragedy,” said Attorney General Schneiderman. “We remain committed to following the facts and providing exhaustive and transparent accounting of all cases we investigate under the executive order.”
Attorney Sanford Rubenstein represents the family and said a civil lawsuit will be filed next week. Galarza’s family said they will continue fighting for justice.
“This shouldn’t happen. It just shouldn’t happen. There’s no way in my mind that I can comprehend how six police officers go to a situation and your family member ends up deceased,” said Galarza’s sister Jeanette Galarza.
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