Two autopsies confront each other. According to an independent study, the results of which were announced on Monday by his family's lawyer, the death of George Floyd last week in Minneapolis during his arrest was linked to asphyxiation, "under sustained pressure".
"The autopsy indicates that the compression of Floyd's neck and back caused a lack of blood circulation to his brain," said CNN, repeating elements cited by Ben Crump, who advises the family of the deceased.
"No health problems"
The images showing Derek Chauvin resting his knee on his neck for long minutes during the arrest made the world move. He was charged with manslaughter and removed from the police force. According to a complaint released by the Hennepin County District Attorney's office, the officer kept his knee on George Floyd's neck for 8 minutes and 46 seconds. From the moment the victim stopped responding, the pressure was maintained for 2 minutes and 53 seconds.
"There are no other health conditions that could cause or contribute to death," said Dr. Michael Baden, one of the independent forensic pathologists who performed the autopsy, on Monday.
The official autopsy conducted by the authorities concluded that a combination of factors could have led to the death of George Floyd. The fact of being hampered, certainly, but also a possible consumption of alcohol as well as a health history. But there was "no evidence to support a diagnosis of traumatic asphyxiation or strangulation," said the coroner.