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Prosecutors called several medical experts who testified that Floyd died from a lack of oxygen because of the way he was restrained. A use of force expert also said it was unreasonable to hold Floyd in the prone position for 9 minutes, 29 seconds, handcuffed and face-down.
Defense attorney Eric Nelson tried to raise doubts about Floyd’s cause of death saying underlying heart issues and drug use were to blame. He also argued that Chauvin’s actions were reasonable, saying Floyd was big, under the influence of something, could start fighting and that nearby bystanders presented a threat.
What about third-degree murder?
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MINNEAPOLIS (AP) â Derek Chauvin, the former Minneapolis officer who pressed his knee against George Floyd s neck, was handcuffed and taken into custody Tuesday after being convicted of all three counts against him.
Twelve jurors found Chauvin guilty of second-degree unintentional murder, third-degree murder and second-degree manslaughter, ultimately deciding that Chauvin caused Floyd s death and that his actions were not that of a reasonable officer.
Prosecutors didnât have to prove Chauvinâs restraint was the sole cause of Floydâs death, only that his conduct was a âsubstantial causal factor.â They also had to prove his actions were unreasonable, because Chauvin was authorized to use force as a police officer, as long as that force would be considered reasonable by an objective officer.
Derek Chauvin is in a prison’s segregated housing unit for his safety while he awaits sentencing
Former Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin was put into a prison’s segregated housing unit for his own safety, a prison spokesperson said, after Chauvin was found guilty of the murder of George Floyd on Tuesday.
Here’s what’s next for Chauvin after his conviction:
Sentencing will be in eight weeks
Chauvin will be sentenced in about eight weeks so, around the second week of June Judge Peter Cahill said Tuesday, with a precise date to be announced.
Although Chauvin had been out on bail since October, Cahill revoked Chauvin’s bail after the verdict. Chauvin will now await sentencing while behind bars.