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George Floyd: Prosecutor Has Spoken - “Shocking” $ 20 police crackdown?

2021-04-20T14:20:33.287Z


In the trial of the death of George Floyd, it is now the jury's turn. Your decision is eagerly awaited. The accused is ex-police officer Derek Chauvin.


In the trial of the death of George Floyd, it is now the jury's turn.

Your decision is eagerly awaited.

The accused is ex-police officer Derek Chauvin.

Update from April 20, 6:30 a.m.:

Almost a year after the 9 minutes and 29 seconds that the then policeman Derek Chauvin knelt on George Floyd, the verdict could be made at any time.

It is now in the hands of the jury to decide how one of the most high-profile criminal cases in recent US history will end.

The verdict could spark renewed protests across the country.

The jury must now decide whether or not Chauvin was to blame for killing African American Floyd.

Chauvin faces a long prison sentence if convicted.

The expectations of the trial are immense in the USA: Many people hope for a verdict that will set an example against racism and police violence.

Jury now decides: Fears of massive protests after Floyd's verdict are going around

But if Derek Chauvin is acquitted or given a short prison sentence, massive protests are likely to result.

Minnesota Governor Tim Walz has mobilized the National Guard and called for more help.

He and Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey urged people to demonstrate peacefully after the verdict was announced and not to allow "chaos".

Facebook also fears outbreaks of violence - and is taking precautions.

Parts of Minneapolis have been declared a high-risk area internally, said the online network.

Therefore, Facebook will delete all calls to bring weapons there.

Additional measures will also be taken to stop the spread of false information.

George Floyd: Trial of white ex-cop Derek Chauvin comes to an end

Update from April 19, 10.55 p.m.:

According to the prosecution, the white ex-police officer Derek Chauvin is responsible for the killing of the African American George Floyd and must be found guilty. The excessive and merciless use of force cost Floyd his life, said prosecutor Steve Schleicher on Monday in the closing argument at the court in Minneapolis. Floyd asked Chauvin to let him breathe until his last breath, during which he kneeled on him for nine minutes and 29 seconds, Schleicher told the jury. However, Chauvin's defense attorney Eric Nelson stressed his client's innocence.

Schleicher, in turn, stated that Chauvin had "shockingly" violated all police guidelines on the permissible use of force. His behavior was disproportionate and illegal. Chauvin "stayed on Floyd and pressed him to the ground with his knee," even when he was already lifeless, said Schleicher. Floyd had no pulse, but Chauvin continued to press him into the "unyielding" asphalt instead of helping.


The prosecutor kept telling the jury that Floyd's struggle to survive under Chauvin's knee had lasted 9 minutes and 29 seconds - even though Floyd was arrested only on suspicion of paying with a fake $ 20 bill.

Schleicher stated that Floyd asked Chauvin 27 times in the first five minutes to let him breathe.

The policeman heard this "but all he did was make fun of him," said Schleicher.

After that, Floyd fell silent and soon became lifeless, while Chauvin kneeled on him for another four minutes.

+

Attorney Steve Schleicher delivers a closing argument in Hennepin County Court.

© Uncredited / dpa

Defense attorney Nelson said the prosecution had not established beyond doubt his client's guilt. If there is only one reasonable doubt, the verdict should be not guilty, he said addressed to the jury. In his plea, he stated that there could be no crime because Chauvin's actions involved the legitimate use of force as part of a “dynamic” police operation. Nelson asked the jury to consider not only the minutes Chauvin kneeled on Floyd, but also the 17 minutes or so before Floyd resisted arrest.


After the pleadings, the members of the jury are deliberated to decide on the guilt or innocence of Chauvin. The most serious charge against him is second degree murder without intent. They have been imprisoned for up to 40 years in the US state of Minnesota. According to German law, this would be more like manslaughter. In addition, Chauvin is also accused of third degree murder, which can be punished with up to 25 years in prison. He also has to answer for second degree manslaughter, which is followed by ten years in prison. According to German law, this charge would correspond to that of negligent homicide. Chauvin pleaded not guilty.

Update from April 19, 4:35 p.m.:

How will the trial of ex-police officer Derek Chauvin end for killing African American George Floyd?

The closing arguments from the public prosecutor's office and the defense are expected for this Monday (

see first report

).

Meanwhile, the mood in the USA remains heated.

US media reported that strangers threw a pig's head at the former home of a former California police officer who had testified as a defense witness for Chauvin.

The incident occurred over the weekend at the presumed residence of officer Barry Brodd in Santa Rosa,

nbcnews.com

reported, among others

.

Strict safety precautions apply to the process.

George Floyd: Closing arguments expected in the chauvin trial - will massive protests follow again?

First report from April 19, 3 p.m .:

Minneapolis - The trial of the white ex-police officer Derek Chauvin * for the killing of the African American George Floyd * on May 25, 2020 is nearing completion.

At the court in Minneapolis, Minnesota, the prosecution and defense will begin this Monday (April 19) at 4 p.m. (CEST).

The hearing of witnesses in the main trial * ended last Thursday (April 15) after three weeks.

After the expected pleadings, the twelve members of the jury deliberate in order to decide on Chauvin's guilt or innocence.

There is no time limit for this - you could decide within an hour or after a week, said judge Peter Cahill, according to

dpa

information.

The

Los Angeles Times

reports that attorneys have no time limits for their closing arguments.

Legal experts point out, however, that explanations that are too long and arguments that are too long could lead to the jury losing its attention.

George Floyd: Derek Chauvin's Trial of Unintentional Second Degree Murder?

The most serious charge against Chauvin is second degree murder without intent. They are imprisoned for up to 40 years. According to German law, this would be more like manslaughter. In addition, Chauvin is also accused of third degree murder, which can be punished with up to 25 years in prison. He also has to answer for second degree manslaughter, which is followed by ten years in prison. Chauvin, who was released after the incident and is on bail, has pleaded not guilty.

Chauvin's defense attorneys argued that Floyd's death was not primarily due to violence *, but primarily to his pre-existing health and drug residues in his blood, the

Los Angeles Times

said

.

Experts from the public prosecutor's office clearly rejected this.

For example, a lung specialist said that Floyd died as a result of a lack of oxygen.

Minneapolis Police Chief Medaria Arradondo described Chauvin's use of force as disproportionate and illegal.

Death of George Floyd: final speeches expected in the chauvin process - tight security measures

The process takes place under strict security precautions, according to the

dpa

. The expectations of the process are immense. Many people, probably also most blacks, hope for a verdict that will send a signal against racism and police violence in the USA - and against the fact that security forces often seem to get away with impunity. If Chauvin is acquitted or given a short prison sentence, massive protests * are likely to occur again.

The Minneapolis metropolitan area has been shaken by isolated protests for a week.

The trigger was a fatal shot by a white police officer on a 20-year-old black woman, Daunte Wright *, at a traffic stop in the suburb of Brooklyn Center.

(

nema with dpa

) (* Merkur.de is an offer from IPPEN.MEDIA)

List of rubric lists: © Uncredited / dpa

Source: merkur

All news articles on 2021-04-20

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