Ramsey Orta, Man Who Filmed Eric Garner’s Death, Sentenced To Four Years In Prison

The Staten Island man who filmed Eric Garner’s final moments has been sentenced to four years in prison on drugs and weapon charges. Justice Stephen Rooney handed down the sentence Monday (Oct. 3) and while protestors stood with their fists raised chanting “No justice, no peace!”, Orta turned to his family and supporters and replied, “It will be okay.”

“We’re feeling really upset,” Lisa Ricardo, Orta’s aunt told the New York Daily News. “I would tell the police, don’t touch him. Hands off Ramsey. Leave him alone in jail.”

Since filming Garner’s arrest and subsequent murder in July 2014, Orta has had several run-ins with the NYPD. Authorities charge Orta with the selling of heroin, crack cocaine, marijuana, anti-anxiety pills and oxycodone to undercover cop and also busted him with a .25-caliber handgun.

“I’m tired of fighting,” Orta said back in July and announced he would plead guilty to the charges against him.

On July 17, 2014, Eric Garner was placed in an illegal chokehold by officer Daniel Pantaleo. The horrific murder was captured on video with Garner saying “I can’t breathe” 11 times, which later became a rallying cry. Subsequently, Garner’s family was given $5.9 million settlement for his death, while Pantaleo was given a $23,000 raise in the years following Garner’s murder.