A New Mexico city will pay $6.5 million to the family of a Mexican American man who died after he was placed in a chokehold during a traffic stop. The settlement agreement between Las Cruces, New Mexico, and the family of Antonio Valenzuela stipulates that the city has to pay within 30 days and promises the local government will undertake various police reforms, including banning all chokeholds. Former Las Cruces officer Christopher Smelser has been charged with second-degree murder in the death of Valenzuela, which occurred in February. Smelser can be heard on police camera footage saying, “I’m going to [expletive] choke you out, bro” as he chases Valenzuela. An autopsy concluded that Valenzuela died from asphyxial injuries, and a coroner ruled his death a homicide.

Source: Fox News August 20, 2020 17:26 UTC