Author: Amy Forliti
-
Expert: Lack of oxygen killed George Floyd, not drugs
—
by
MINNEAPOLIS • George Floyd died of a lack of oxygen from being pinned to the pavement with a knee on his neck, a medical expert testified at former Officer Derek Chauvin’s murder trial Thursday, emphatically rejecting the defense theory that Floyd’s drug use and underlying health problems were what killed him. “A healthy person subjected…
-
Police official: Chauvin trained to avoid neck pressure
—
by
MINNEAPOLIS • Minneapolis police are taught to restrain combative suspects with a knee on their back or shoulders if necessary but are told to “stay away from the neck when possible,” a department use-of-force instructor testified Tuesday at former Officer Derek Chauvin’s murder trial. Lt. Johnny Mercil became the latest member of the Minneapolis force…
-
Ex-cop told onlooker Floyd was big, ‘probably on something’
—
by
MINNEAPOLIS • After the ambulance took George Floyd away, the Minneapolis officer who had pinned his knee on the Black man’s neck defended himself to a bystander by saying Floyd was “a sizable guy” and “probably on something,” according to police video played in court Wednesday. The video was part of a mountain of footage…
-
Witness: Officer in Floyd case gave onlookers a ‘cold’ stare
—
by
MINNEAPOLIS • As onlookers pleaded with Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin to take his knee off George Floyd’s neck, Chauvin just gave them a “cold” and “heartless” stare, the teenager who shot the harrowing video of the arrest testified Tuesday at Chauvin’s murder trial. In tearful testimony, Darnella Frazier, 18, said that Chauvin continued to…
-
Jury set for ex-cop’s trial in Floyd death; starts Monday
—
by
MINNEAPOLIS • A jury has been seated for the trial of a former Minneapolis police officer in George Floyd’s death, with opening statements set for Monday in a case that led to weeks of protests and a national soul-searching about racial justice. The final juror was chosen Tuesday, wrapping up a process that took more…
-
10th juror picked, lawyers clash over expert in Floyd trial
—
by
MINNEAPOLIS • Attorneys at the trial of a former Minneapolis police officer charged in George Floyd’s death nearly finished jury selection on Thursday by choosing three more panelists, hours after clashing over how much they should hear of Floyd’s own actions. A total of 12 jurors have now been selected, leaving just two alternates yet…
-
2 jurors dropped from Chauvin trial after $27M settlement
—
by
MINNEAPOLIS • A judge Wednesday dismissed two jurors who had been seated for the trial of a former Minneapolis police officer accused in George Floyd’s death over concerns they had been tainted by the city’s announcement of a $27 million settlement with Floyd’s family. Hennepin County Judge Peter Cahill recalled seven jurors who were seated…
-
Ex-officer wants jury to hear about 2019 George Floyd arrest
—
by
MINNEAPOLIS • A lawyer for a former Minneapolis police officer charged in George Floyd’s death asked the judge again Tuesday to allow evidence of a previous arrest during which Floyd was found with drugs, a request the prosecutor derided as an attempt to “smear” Floyd’s character. Defense attorney Eric Nelson said that Floyd’s May 2019…
-
Judge OKs 3rd-degree murder charge for ex-cop in Floyd death
—
by
MINNEAPOLIS • A judge on Thursday granted prosecutors’ request to add a third-degree murder count against a former Minneapolis police officer charged in George Floyd’s death, offering jurors an additional option for conviction and resolving an issue that might have delayed his trial for months. Hennepin County Judge Peter Cahill reinstated the charge after the…
-
Attorneys in ex-cop’s trial probe jurors’ views about police
—
by
MINNEAPOLIS • Attorneys in the trial of a former Minneapolis police officer charged in George Floyd’s death probed potential jurors Wednesday about their attitudes toward police, trying to determine whether they’re more inclined to believe testimony from law enforcement over evidence from other witnesses to the fatal confrontation. Judge Peter Cahill seated two more jurors…