Lawyers for Ricky Bellevue are speaking out on the grand jury’s decision to not indict a former NYPD officer who was accused of an apparent chokehold last year. 

Former officer David Afanador will not be indicted after he was charged for using a chokehold on Bellevue during an arrest back in 2020. 

The incident was days after former Gov. Andrew Cuomo signed legislation banning chokeholds. Bellevue’s lawyers are now calling for justice. 

Last year, bodycam footage was shared from the June 2020 incident that happened in Far Rockaway, Queens. In the video, it appears that three officers are holding Bellevue down to the ground. 

His family has previously stated that Bellevue had mental health issues. Although Afanador was arrested and charged with attempted strangulation, he will not be indicted. 

The Queens district attorney released a statement saying, “In the interest of transparency I am moving to have the minutes of the grand jury hearings unsealed.” 

“We strongly support the district attorney’s attempt by motioning in this court to make the grand jury’s records public. Transparency is important and the public has the right to know. The fight for justice goes on,” said attorney Sanford Rubenstein. 

While the criminal probe into the former officer has been completed, Bellevue’s attorney also says they will continue with their civil lawsuits against the NYPD and Afanador.