Cop in Choke-Hold Death May Face Charge

HOUSTON - It was back on July 4 when 30-year-old Syulvanus Okhueleigbe died.

Investigators say the Nigerian national got into a fight with a veteran Houston police officer in a Stafford bar.

Tommy Harris is that HPD cop. He was off duty at the time of the incident. We've learned the autopsy on Okhueleigbe is complete and the cause of death is listed as homicide.

The Harris County Medical Examiner says he died as a result of asphyxiation and neck compressions.

Stafford police investigators confirm they have turned over the case to the Fort Bend County District attorney. From there it goes to a grand jury, where the panel will decide if officer Harris will be indicted in the death.

FOX 26 legal analyst Chris Tritico says there will likely be an indictment in the case.

"The defendant isn't allowed in and the prosecutor gets to present his case at the grand jury," Tritico says.

Harris has been relieved of duty since the July 4th incident.