The New York City Comptroller is looking to negotiate a settlement of a $75 million claim brought by Eric Garner's family, the New York Times has reported.

The Staten Island man was murdered by a police officer who put him in a chokehold and his family says his rights were taken away when the police officer was not indicted.

NYC Comptroller Scott M. Stringer wants to settle in order to avoid a long and bitter trial in federal court but he says he cannot guarantee what will happen. "We will attempt to bring a settlement to the Garner case if we're able," Stringer said.

Settlements are often looked at as a way of the defendant saying that they are guilty and want to avoid bigger punishment.

"What I've said is that this is a terrible tragedy and that there's clearly a police-community issue that's very troubling, not just in New York but across this country," he said. "And I also said my heart goes out to the Garner family, and I feel very strongly about that."

NBC News reported that Eric Garner's family filed a $75 million suit against the city and the New York Police Department for negligence, recklessness and carelessness on behalf of the officer who killed Garner.

The video of the 43-year-old father of six went viral, showing a police officer putting him in a chokehold. Although chokeholds are banned by the NYPD, the officer continued to choke Garner as he yelled that he could not breathe.

Garner, who had asthma, was later pronounced dead at the hospital because of the chokehold. Officers were arresting him for selling single untaxed cigarettes.

Protesters took to the streets to declare justice for Garner some wearing shirts that read, "I can't breathe."

Rev. Al Sharpton has been working with the Garners to fight for justice as the nation continues to fight against police brutality in the U.S.