Associated Press
Defense attorney Eric Nelson, left, sits alongside former Minneapolis police Officer Derek Chauvin on Thursday in Minneapolis. Previous Next
Monday, April 19, 2021 1:00 am
Attorneys to make final pleas in Floyd case
STEVE KARNOWSKI and DOUG GLASS | Associated Press
MINNEAPOLIS – For three weeks, prosecutors at the trial of a former Minneapolis police officer charged with killing George Floyd played and replayed video, supplementing the bystander video that shocked the world with multiple other angles of Floyd s arrest. And over and over, Derek Chauvin s attorney argued that the visual evidence is deceptive, and that Floyd was killed by his drug use and a bad heart.
Defense attorney Eric Nelson apologized in advance for being long-winded in his closing argument.
He reminded the jury that Chauvin is presumed innocent and that presumption remains with him until and unless the state has proved its case beyond a reasonable doubt. The defendant does not have to prove his innocence, Nelson emphasized.
9:30 a.m.
Prosecutor Steve Schleicher delivered the state s closing argument to the jury in the murder trial of Derek Chauvin. His name was George Perry Floyd, Jr., Schleicher began, telling the jury about Floyd s birth and upbringing. He would always take time, special attention to be with his mother, Schleicher told the jury, reminding them of the testimony from George Floyd s brother, Philonise Floyd. He showed photos of Floyd and his family as he spoke.
Defense attorney Eric Nelson apologized in advance for being long-winded in his closing argument.
He reminded the jury that Chauvin is presumed innocent and that presumption remains with him until and unless the state has proved its case beyond a reasonable doubt. The defendant does not have to prove his innocence, Nelson emphasized. The highest standard in this country is proof beyond a reasonable doubt.
He told the jury that to convict, they would have to find that any defense that has been advanced is unreasonable.
Nelson urged the jury to carefully read the entire set of instructions given to them by the judge.
EXPLAINER: Chauvin defense argues he acted reasonably
MICHAEL TARM, Associated Press
FacebookTwitterEmail
FILE - In this May 25, 2020 file image from Minneapolis city surveillance video, Minneapolis police are seen attempting to take George Floyd into custody in Minneapolis, Minn. The video was shown as Hennepin County Judge Peter Cahill presided on Monday, March 29, 2021, in the trial of former Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin, in the death of Floyd at the Hennepin County Courthouse in Minneapolis, Minn. (Court TV via AP, Pool, File)AP
CHICAGO (AP) Attorneys and witnesses have used the words “reasonable” or “unreasonable” often at the trial of the former Minneapolis police officer charged with murder and manslaughter in George Floyd ’s death.