Wife of man who taped Eric Garner video arrested, accused of assault

The outspoken wife of the man who took the amateur video of Eric Garner's fatal confrontation with police was arrested Tuesday night in connection with an assault on a woman in Staten Island, according to police.

Chrissie Ortiz, 30, was being processed at the 120th Precinct on charges she struck a woman who had criticized her husband, Ramsey Orta, 22, according to an NYPD spokesman. Charges were pending, the spokesman added.

Orta's video of a July 17 confrontation showed Garner, of Staten Island, arguing with officers who then tackle him. An officer is seen applying a chokehold that the New York City medical examiner ruled killed Garner.

Orta was arrested last Sunday on weapons possession charges after police said they spotted him emerging from a known drug location with a 17-year-old teen. Police said Orta then was observed placing a handgun in the waistband of the woman's pants.

After her husband was arrested, Ortiz said that he had been constantly followed by police, who she said were looking for an excuse to arrest him.