The protection offered its witness and professional testimony final week within the trial of former Minneapolis Police officer Derek Chauvin.
The protection’s flip earlier than the jury got here Tuesday when the prosecution rested after calling 38 witnesses over 11 days. Jurors heard testimony from seven witnesses for the protection.
Here are highlights from the ultimate week of testimony:
The protection’s three-prong authorized technique: The protection offered seven witnesses to bolster its three-prong strategy for clearing the officer of culpability: Floyd died from drug and well being issues; Chauvin’s use of pressure was ugly however applicable; and a hostile crowd of bystanders distracted the previous officer.
At the center of protection lawyer Eric Nelson’s case is the argument that medical causes, not Chauvin’s actions, prompted Floyd’s demise that night. In different phrases, Floyd’s use of methamphetamine and fentanyl, his preliminary resistance to officers and preexisting coronary heart issues all conspired to kill him.
Hennepin County Medical Examiner Dr. Andrew Baker, who carried out Floyd’s post-mortem final May, had beforehand testified for the prosecution that Floyd’s demise was a “homicide.” The trigger of demise was cardiopulmonary arrest — Floyd’s coronary heart and lungs stopped. That occurred throughout “law enforcement subdual, restraint, and neck compression,” the doctor testified.
Four other medical experts offered similar testimony for the state: Floyd died from cardiopulmonary arrest attributable to low oxygen ranges from inclined restraint and positional asphyxia. A heart specialist testified that Floyd’s coronary heart confirmed no proof of damage.
Expert testified that Chauvin’s actions had been justified: Barry Brodd, a former police officer and use-of-force professional referred to as by the protection on Tuesday, testified that Chauvin was justified in kneeling on Floyd for greater than 9 minutes and didn’t use lethal pressure.
Brodd’s testimony was at odds with the prosecution’s policing consultants and Minneapolis Police Chief Medaria Arradondo, who stated Chauvin’s actions had been “in no way, shape or form” inside division coverage, coaching, ethics or values.
Pulmonologist takes the stand a second time: Dr. Martin Tobin, a pulmonologist who testified last week, returned to the stand Thursday for the prosecution in a brief rebuttal in opposition to a protection medical professional. The state sought to counter the testimony of a forensic pathologist who informed the jury Wednesday that Floyd’s trigger of demise was “undetermined.” Floyd’s underlying coronary heart points had been the primary causes, the pathologist stated.
Dr. David Fowler, who retired as Maryland’s chief medical expert on the finish of 2019, launched a novel protection argument: Carbon monoxide from the squad automotive’s exhaust might have contributed to Floyd’s demise. Fowler admitted no knowledge or check outcomes might again up his declare. Tobin, in a brief rebuttal, informed the jury the carbon monoxide principle is confirmed incorrect by a special blood check that confirmed Floyd’s blood oxygen saturation was 98%. That meant his carbon monoxide stage might at most be 2% — throughout the regular vary.
