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Jose Oliva, 76, says he was "assaulted" by police at a VA hospital.
• 9 min read
Policing in America: Qualified immunity
ABC News’ Devin Dwyer investigates the demands for police reform across the country, including qualified immunity.Courtesy Institute for Justice
The U.S. Supreme Court on Monday denied the appeal of a retired federal agent seeking to challenge sweeping legal immunity for police officers after he was injured during an arrest and later blocked from suing for damages.
"This big guy grabbed my left hand and with his two hands, he jerked my arm as high as he could. Almost simultaneously, as this guy was jerking my arm, he put a chokehold on my throat very hard, very hurtful," Jose Oliva, 76, said of the 2016 incident at the El Paso, Texas, Veterans Administration hospital. "I told them I can’t -- I cannot breathe, let me go. I cannot breathe."