Derek Chauvin Trial Week 2 Updates

This Monday, April 5th, the Derek Chauvin trial resumed to focus on the testimony of Minneapolis Police (MPD) Chief Medaria Arradondo. Chief Arradondo testified that Derek Chauvin’s actions towards George Floyd did not comport with department policy; he agreed Chauvin was not following MPD’s policy on use of force during the killing of George Floyd.

On Tuesday, 04/06, when asked if Chauvin’s actions towards George Floyd seemed to comport with use-of-force policies, MPD Sergeant Ker Yang said they “would say no” – once again indicating that Chauvin was out of line with police guidelines.

On Wednesday, 04/07, court proceedings focused on footage of George Floyd crying out. Defense attorney Eric Nelson asked LAPD Sergeant Jody Stiger and MN-BCA agent James Reyerson if they heard George Floyd cry out “I ate too many drugs.” With full context of the footage, Reyerson testifies that he instead hears Floyd pleading, “I ain’t do no drugs.”

On Thursday, 04/08, Dr. Martin Tobin, Dr. Daniel Isenschmid, and Dr. Bill Smock took the stand. Dr. Tobin visually demonstrated to the court why he felt that George Floyd died from a lack of oxygen. Dr. Isenschmid attested to the fact that the levels of drugs found in Floyd’s body were low compared to average DUI cases. Dr. Smock states clearly that George Floyd passed away from positional asphyxia, a lack of oxygen due to his body’s physical positioning at the time of death.

This entire week, the defense of Derek Chauvin has tried to mar George Floyd’s name and legacy in order to secure the freedom of a murderer’s life. Police officials have continued to testify that Chauvin’s actions did not follow use-of-force policy and experts (police, medical, and criminal) continue to reiterate that Floyd’s death was caused by a lack of oxygen and not due to any drug levels in his system.

As we continue to follow this trial, we must hold our elected officials and police systems accountable to the people they serve, we must hold Derek Chauvin accountable for the killing of George Floyd, and we must continue to organize until we see justice held for all Americans killed by police violence.