"I can't breathe anymore", here are the last words of Georges Floyd before he is completely asphyxiated by the knee of a policeman on his neck.
This knee which remained pressed on the neck of the African-American of 46 years for 8 minutes and 46 seconds is that of Derek Chauvin.
This Monday, March 8 opens his trial.
The trial of a man, a 44-year-old white policeman, but also that of violence and racism in the American police.
The scene where he is seen choking George Floyd shocked America and the world.
An explosion and a shock wave that pushed millions of demonstrators into the streets.
It became the biggest anti-racism mobilization since the 1960s and Martin Luther King.
The slogan: "Black Lives Matter" resonated around the world.
Derek Chauvin was immediately fired, imprisoned and his wife filed for divorce.
He was then released on bail.
But before committing this act, the policeman already had a heavy past behind him.
In 19 years of service in Minneapolis, Derek Chauvin was the subject of 18 complaints.
Sixteen of these complaints were dismissed and only two ultimately resulted in a letter of reprimand.
He was involved in 3 shootings, including one fatal.
In 2006, the officer was part of a group of six officers who shot a suspect after a chase.
The man was shot several times and later pronounced dead.
Again, Derek Chauvin had not been worried.
In 2008, he also shot a man, Ira Latrell Toles, in a domestic violence case.
The suspect was shot twice but survived.
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For the death of George Floyd on May 25, 2020, the police officer was charged with "second degree murder", a charge qualifying an act willful but not premeditated, he risks a maximum of forty years in prison.
This is the first time in Minneapolis that a white policeman will stand trial for the death of an African American.
His 3 co-defendants will be tried separately at the end of August.
His trial is preparing under high tension.
Authorities fear further gatherings and violence.
The city of Minneapolis barricaded itself and the court was turned into a real fortress.
According to the mayor, 3,000 police officers and soldiers of the Republican Guard were mobilized.
The verdict is expected in late April or early May.