(CNN) The New York Police Department officer seen on video putting a man into a chokehold during an arrest over the weekend is the first officer in the state to be charged under the recently enacted state and city laws banning police chokeholds. The officer, David Afanador, 39, was charged with "attempted strangulation" and "strangulation," according to a press release from the Queens County District Attorney. Afanador pleaded not guilty at his arraignment in Queens County Criminal Court Thursday morning, according to his attorney Steven Worth. It seems that everyone is entitled to due process these days but police officers," Worth told CNN. Prosecutors allege Officer Afanador continued a chokehold Sunday on Ricky Bellevue, 35, as other officers handcuffed him, causing Bellevue to lose consciousness, and Afanador didn't let go until another police officer pulled on Afanador's back, the release said.

Source: CNN June 25, 2020 15:26 UTC