In this image taken from video, defense attorney Eric Nelson, left, and defendant, former Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin, right, listen to Hennepin County Judge Peter Cahill during pretrial motions, prior to continuing jury selection in the trial of Chauvin, Thursday, March 11, 2021, at the Hennepin County Courthouse in Minneapolis, Minn. Chauvin is accused in the May 25, 2020, death of George Floyd. (Court TV/Pool via Pool)
George Floyd Officer Trial
MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — The former Minneapolis police officer charged with killing George Floyd went on trial Monday, with a prosecutor telling the jury that the figure to remember is 9 minutes, 29 seconds — the amount of time Derek Chauvin’s knee was on Floyd’s neck as the Black man pleaded for his life and went limp.
Prosecutor Jerry Blackwell told jurors that Chauvin “didn’t let up, he didn’t get up” even after Floyd said 27 times that he couldn’t breathe and went motionless.
“He put his knees upon his neck and his back, grinding and crushing him, until the very breath — no ladies and gentlemen — until the very life, was squeezed out of him,” Blackwell said.
He said bystander witnesses would include a Minneapolis Fire Department first responder who wanted to administer aid. He said Chauvin pointed Mace at her.
“She wanted to check on his pulse, check on Mr. Floyd’s well-being,” Blackwell said. “She did her best to intervene. When she approached Mr. Chauvin …. Mr. Chauvin reached for his Mace and pointed it in her direction. She couldn’t help.”
Widely seen bystander video of the encounter sparked outrage across the U.S. and led to widespread protests and scattered violence.
A jury of 14 people will hear the case — eight who are white and six who are Black or multiracial, according to the court. Two of the 14 will be alternates. The judge has not said which ones will be alternates and which ones will deliberate the case.
Civil rights attorney, Ben Crump, spoke outside of the courtroom. He said in part, “We know if George Floyd was a white American citizen, nobody would be saying this is a hard case.”
The defense is expected to focus on Floyd’s toxicology report showing that he had drugs in his system as well as testing positive for Covid-19. The trial will be broadcast in its entirety.
"We know if George Floyd was a white American citizen… nobody would be saying this is a hard case"
Civil rights lawyer Ben Crump speaks outside courtroom ahead of trial of US policeman Derek Chauvin, accused of killing George Floyd in May last year
https://t.co/omVvC4pecD pic.twitter.com/lmXdEDxPWD— BBC News (World) (@BBCWorld) March 29, 2021
