Key Takeaways Of Day 12 Of The Trial Of Derek Chauvin
Key takeaways of my analysis of Day 12 of the Trial of Derek Chauvin for the Murder of George Floyd
These are the notes and key moments of day Twelve (12) of Mr. Chauvin’s trial. All points are strictly based on witness testimony & evidence presented by the prosecution and does not reflect any personal bias that I may or may not have.
Please note I was not able to view the prosecutions cross examination due to a medical appointment I needed to attend. Where the bullet points end , is where i stopped monitoring the trial.
The Defense calls their first witness Mr Scott Craten a 28 year old veteran for MPD Narcotics investigations.
Scott testifies that on May 2nd , he pulled over a suspect & the passenger of the vehicle seemed unresponsive at first and then became nervous and jittery. The Passenger turned their back to the officer and refused to show their hands.
Video evidence shows Officer Scott telling the passenger to put on his seatbelt to which he wasn't cooperating and asked the officer to “please don't shoot me”.
Video evidence also shows the officer telling this passenger to put his hands on the dashboard to which he refuses to do & it seems like this passenger swallowed whatever narcotics they have had.
Passenger is Identified as George Floyd.
Next witness is presented to the judges stand Michelle Moseng. Michelle is a former Paramedic of 34 years.
On May 6th Mrs. Moseng was dispatched to a police precinct to tend to Mr. Floyd.
George Floyd told Mrs. Moseng that he had taken an opioid every 20 minutes.
Mrs. Moseng testifies that after taking George Floyds vitals , she recommended for him to be transported to the hospital. George Floyd also admitted to having heart problems & hasn't been taking his medication.
When Mrs. Moseng asked George Floyd why he took so many pills , he said it was because he was addicted to them. George Floyd also refused to go to the hosptial.
Shawonda Hill is called to testify. She was the female in the car with him.
Mr. Hill testified that George Floyd fell asleep in the car and they all tried to wake him up. He would wake up, make a gesture and fall back asleep.
She has said that Mr.Floyd was asleep and woken up by police when they approached him.
Peter Chang is called to testify. Mr. Chang is a current MPD officer. Officer Chang was called to respond to the scene the day of George Floyds death. Mr. Chang was told to look up Mr. Floyd in the system computer of his vehicle.
Video evidence from Mr. Changs body cam shows him entering George Floyds name into his computer. After checking his computer, Mr Chang was instructed to watch the car of George Floyd while the police were dealing with Mr. Floyd at the squad car.
While watching George Floyds vehicle, Mrs. Shawanda Hill is seen talking to the other man who was with her and Floyd saying “Why is he resisting? Just get into the car. They need to push him in. Now he is going to jail.”
After the Ambulance took George Floyd , One of the witnesses walked over to his friends to tell them what had happened saying “He F*ucked Up” in reference to George Floyd. Mrs. Hill even asked “Who the cops?” and the witness said “Nah your boy”.
The officers on scene DID NOT request officer Chang’s help , however he was under the authority to self assign himself to the incident in progress given how close he was to this situation.
Officer Nichole Mackenzie is called to the courtroom. She really did not provide any impactful testimony. They just basically went over what an officer looks for when a person is showing signs of delirium.
Barry Brodd is Called into the courtroom. He is a consultant for police practices and use of force. Barry also has 29 years experience in law enforcement.
Barry Testifies that he believes Derek Chauvin is justified in his actions based on the evidence provided to him.
Barry Testifies that it only requires probable cause to arrest a person & says that reasonable suspicion is enough to detain. If a person is in handcuffs , does not immediately mean he is under arrest.
Berry Testifies that he believes Chauvin’s actions were not use of deadly force. Berry also said that officers are trained to keep an intoxicated individual handcuffed until medical EMS arrives on scene.
Berry Testifies that given the level of resistance of George Floyd , the officers involved (including Chauvin) were justified in not only the type of force they used , but they also could have taken things to the next level which they choose not to.
Berry testified that in his opinion It was justified to bring Mr Floyd to the ground. Once on the ground , it appeared that Mr. Floyd was still resisting and kicking once on the ground.
Berry testified that it is justified and normal for police to put a suspect into the prone position face down because it diminishes the mobility of the suspect, limiting the suspects use of their feet. The fact that Mr. Floyd was handcuffed and made no difference since he was resisting.
Berry testified that they were justified to conduct maximum restraint , however they chose not to because that would require a “Hubble” restraint which they didn't do.
Berry testified that when a suspect is intoxicated , it is needed to keep the suspect face down on the ground because if the suspect was to vomit, they would have an open airway and wouldn't choke on their own vomit.
Berry Testified that maintaining the prone position isn't considered use of force as that is more likely to be considered a “Prone control technique”.
Berry said the police training initially teaches you that a suspect is prone to strangulation if a person is obese.
Berry Testified that in his opinion, officer Chauvin was reasonable, justified & following his training and current practices of policing.
Based on my analysis of first day of the defenses case being presented, I determined that the defense has not brought anything to the courts attention that wasn’t already presented earlier by the prosecution. There will be just two (2) more days of the defense making their case known before the jury heads to chambers to determine their verdict.