Ramsey Orta, the man who filmed Eric Garner's final moments has shown regret since he's become the target of police attacks since last year.
In an interview with TIME, Orta says his life has drastically changed since he pulled out his phone to record his friend's encounter with Officer Daniel Pantaleo in July 2014. Orta, 22, was known to many as a hero since his footage helped inspire the Black Lives Matter movement. His actions also proved the importance of footage in the nearly hundred incidents that have happened between people of color and the police this year.
Since last year, Orta has faced several drug and gun charges. He was arrested three times including allegedly giving a gun to a 17-year-old, drug possession and allegedly selling MDNA to a police officer. After testing, the MDNA was proved to be fake therefore reducing some of the charges. The deduction didn't do much with Orta facing 60 years if he's convicted.
Orta and his family were forced to move out of their home in Staten Island after they claimed they were followed and harassed by police on a regular basis since Garner's death. Orta says he wishes he would have sent the video anonymously to save his family the heartache and struggle.
"Sometimes I regret just not minding my business," Orta said. "Because it just put me in a messed-up predicament."
His family member Lisa Mercado says they worry about Orta since he's mentioned thoughts of suicide.
"He walks around with fear," Mercado said. "He was always an outspoken person. He's not anymore. He talks about, 'Maybe I should just kill myself. I'm just hurting my entire family.' He said he knew he was doing the right thing, but it turned out to be hell. It messed us all up."
Orta says the area they live in now is safe since they aren't recognized, but there is now a financial strain on the family. For now, he and his family are working to fight in the charges he's acquired before and after Garner's death.
Source: TIME | Photo Credit: Screenshot
