Cops Says ‘I’ll Choke You Out’ before Man Dies

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“I’m Going To…Choke You Out” – Body Camera Shows Fatal Arrest

Officer on video saying he’ll ‘choke you out’ before man dies is charged with manslaughter

Body camera footage obtained Sunday shows a New Mexico police officer telling a man he’s going to “choke you out” before allegedly causing his death with what authorities described as a “vascular neck restraint.” The officer, Christopher Smelser, was charged Friday with involuntary manslaughter in the Feb. 29 death of Antonio Valenzuela.

In video footage obtained by NBC affiliate KOB, Smelser can be heard telling Valenzuela, “I’m going to f*** choke you out, bro.” Valenzuela can be heard gasping for breath.

Body camera footage obtained Sunday shows a New Mexico police officer telling a man he’s going to “choke you out” before allegedly causing his death with what authorities described as a “vascular neck restraint.”

The officer, Christopher Smelser, was charged Friday with involuntary manslaughter in the Feb. 29 death of Antonio Valenzuela. On the same day, the Las Cruces Police Department filed a letter of intent to fire Smelser.

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