New York ( CNN ) -- Evidence in the investigation of the controversial chokehold death of Staten Island man Eric Garner will be presented to a grand jury , prosecutors announced Tuesday . The grand jury will convene in September , Richmond County District Attorney Daniel M. Donovan said . Garner , 43 , died on July 17 after police confronted him on Staten Island for allegedly selling cigarettes illegally . During the encounter , a video shows a police officer grabbing the 350-pound man in a chokehold and pulling him onto a sidewalk . The New York City Police Department prohibits the chokehold tactic . `` After a careful review of the recent findings of the Medical Examiner regarding the cause and manner of Mr. Garner 's death , I have determined that it is appropriate to present evidence regarding the circumstances of his death to a Richmond County Grand Jury , '' Donovan said in a statement . Prosecutors provided no additional information about the exact date that the grand jury will convene , what witnesses will testify , what criminal charges will be considered or whom those charges could be levied against . The New York City medical examiner ruled Garner 's death a homicide . The cause of death was `` compression of neck ( choke hold ) , compression of chest and prone positioning during physical restraint by police . '' The controversial death has sparked several anti-police demonstrations throughout New York City in the month since it happened . Demonstrators have called the police response during his arrest excessive and criminal . Opinion : What led to chokehold death ? In his statement , Donovan said that prosecutors are committed to conducting `` a fair , thorough and responsible investigation into Mr. Garner 's death , '' adding that `` no person is above the law , nor beneath its protection . '' The video that surfaced after his death shows Garner lying on the ground motionless after he was taken down by a group of officers . Garner , an asthmatic , was later declared dead at a nearby hospital . After the incident , New York City Police Commissioner William Bratton ordered an extensive review of the New York Police Department 's training procedures . Officer Daniel Pantaleo , who is seen on the video choking Garner , was put on modified assignment and stripped of his badge and gun amid the investigation , the NYPD said . A second police officer was placed on desk duty . Two EMTs and two paramedics also were suspended without pay , said Erika Hellstrom , vice president of development at Richmond University Medical Center . Garner , a grandfather with six children , had a lengthy criminal history , including more than 30 arrests , and had been arrested for selling untaxed cigarettes in May , police said . Man who filmed cop 's fatal chokehold arrested on gun charges . CNN 's Ray Sanchez contributed to this report .
Eric Garner died on July 17 after police stopped him for allegedly selling cigarettes illegally . The New York City medical examiner ruled Garner's death a homicide and said he was choked to death. Prosecutors say the grand jury will begin hearing evidence next month .