Compression of the neck was the first thing listed. That is the choke. He choked him, he fell and he died I don't know what else to tell you. Positional or not he put him in the position with the choke and the guy died. That is strangulation. I find it curious that you are interested in quibbling over this.
What was listed first doen't matter unless you can show me where the M.E. gave that condition more weight than the others.
It's not quibbling to defend someone the grand jury has no billed, but people here are insisting he should be charged with murder. The grand jury had all available evidence and we don't. So I don't mind defending him at all.
Besides, I have considerable experience at handcuffing people that are resisting, and 400 lb men can be a huge problem. (no pun intended) Most hand restraints won't even go around his wrists. In addition, I know what positional asphyxiation is and how it kills. A small man can die from it, but a big guy like the subject here is a far greater risk and it's much quicker. Especially when he has other health issues.
But, I've said about all that can be said in his defense and I'm in agreement with the only people that had all the evidence. Anything further is useless arguing.
I will add this: This officer needs to be disciplined by NYPD up to and including termination for violating department policy and in doing so, may have contributed to the unintended death of a suspect. It is possible the rest of the officers involved may neeed disciplining as well. But I'd need more info to jump on that particular bandwagon.