Derek Chauvin Trial: Week I Recap

The trial of Officer Derek Chauvin opened in Minneapolis, Minnesota on March 29th. Chauvin faces three charges: second degree unintentional felony murder, third degree “depraved mind” murder and second degree manslaughter. Chauvin arrested and detained George Floyd on May 25, 2020. Floyd was charged with using a counterfeit bill to buy goods at local convenience store. During the arrest, Chauvin claimed Floyd, who was in handcuffs, was “unruly and difficult to subdue.” Chauvin forced Floyd to the ground and placed his knee on his neck for 8 minutes and 46 seconds. As a result of the injuries sustained during the arrest, Floyd died at the scene. Floyd’s death and the video of Chauvin executing Floyd on the street went viral. It sparked ant-police brutality and anti-racism protests nationwide and globally.

Here are some takeaways from his first week of trial which began on March 29th:

Derek Chauvin knelt on Floyd's neck longer than initially reported. Instead of the 8 minutes and 46 seconds, Chauvin knelt on Floyd's neck for 9 minutes and 23 seconds. Chauvin also continued to kneel on Floyd’s neck even after he was informed by an on-scene paramedic that Floyd had no pulse. Darnella Frasier, a 17-year-old minor at the time of the incident, saw and filmed the incident. She said: “It’s been nights I stayed up apologizing to George Floyd for not doing more and not physically interacting and saving his life.” Charles McMillian, a bystander at the scene, said the actions of the police officer were unnecessary and barbaric. The crowd begged the officer to stop but he continued pressing his knee against Floyd's neck. McMillian confronted the officer at the scene but to no avail. Chauvin insisted on the need to restrain Floyd because, in Chauvin’s words, he was a “sizeable guy and possibly on drugs. “

Floyd’s use of opioids figured prominently in the trial. The defense team continued to promote the theory that Floyd’s use of opioids was a casual factor in his death. Testimony and evidence presented at trial showed that even though opioids were found in the Floyd’s body, they most likely did kill him. His body had built up a resistance to these drugs through continued use. Floyd’s girlfriend, Courteney Ross, corroborated this fact. She said that Floyd had been using drugs due to chronic pain and had tried many times to overcome the addiction. He resumed drug use a few weeks before his arrest.

Chauvin’s record as a police officer also came under scrutiny during the proceedings. He had 18 prior complaints filed against him including misconduct and excessive force. The police department closed only 2 of the complaints with discipline. Numerous reports showed his involvement in violent and deadly cases of police abuse.

The proper use of force also took center stage. Two members of the Minneapolis police force testified about this issue. Chauvin’s supervisor Sergeant David Pleoger said that there was no reason to keep Floyd in a prone position so long. Lieutenant Richard Zimmerman, the longest serving police officer on the force, said Chauvin violated policy. He also said Chauvin’s actions were totally unnecessary.

Derek Chauvin’s trial is a referendum on policing, the treatment of African American citizens and the criminal justice system. Observers are watching closely to determine how the case is presented and the conclusions the jury will draw.