Welcome to our live coverage of the Derek Chauvin trial. Closing arguments in the murder case against the former Minneapolis police officer begin at 9 a.m. local time in Minneapolis.
Chauvin, a white former police officer in Minneapolis, is facing charges of second-degree unintentional murder, third-degree murder and second-degree manslaughter in the death of George Floyd on May 25, 2020. During an arrest, Chauvin held his knee for nine minutes and 29 seconds pressed against the neck of Floyd, who was black.
Floyd was pushed against the sidewalk, restrained and muffled while Chauvin held his knee in place. Floyd passed away. He was 46. His death caused protests for racial justice around the world.
The trial of Chauvin began in earnest on March 29 with opening statements and includes 14 days of testimony. The jury will begin deliberations once closures have been finalized and will be sequestered until it delivers its verdict.
The prosecutor and Chauvin’s attorney focused on two main themes: use of force and cause of death.
Prosecutors allege that Chauvin’s violent use was excessive, deviating from the department’s policies and national policing standards. They also allege that Floyd died due to a lack of oxygen due to police restriction.
Eric Nelson, representing Chauvin, said Floyd died of an acute cardiac event resulting from underlying heart conditions, methamphetamine and fentanyl use and / or a combination of these factors. Nelson also argued that the proper use of force is situational and that actions that appear to be bad can be lawful and justified. The lawyer also said that a crowd near the arrest scene posed a risk to officers.
As Minneapolis awaits verdict, this city and others in the U.S. support possible protests. Demonstrations against the killing of police took place in the US this weekend, and tensions increased further with two recent murders.
Daunte Wright, 20, was fatally shot dead in a Minneapolis suburb by a white police officer during a April 11 stop. The recent release of footage of the body that killed the 13-year-old murder of 13-year-old Adam Toledo in Chicago has also sparked widespread protests.
We will bring you ongoing news, as well as analyzes and reports from our reporters on site.