ME’s report: Arrest death a homicide

The county medical examiner overseeing George Floyd’s case in Minnesota ruled his death a homicide Monday hours after the victim’s family produced its own experts saying he was murdered by asphyxia.

Minnesota authorities had previously said preliminary findings by the Hennepin County Medical Examiner’s Office showed there were “no physical findings” to support diagnosis of traumatic asphyxia or strangulation.

They had said he appeared to have died from the combined effects of being res trained, possible intoxicants and underlying health issues including heart disease.

Floyd, a 46-year-old black man, died after a white cop knelt on his neck for nearly 9 minutes during a routine arrest in Minneapolis on March 25, despite his pleas that he couldn’t breathe.

The horrific incident — which was caught on video and has sparked widespread protests — also involved two other white cops who appeared to kneel on his back, too.

The Medical Examiner’s Office said in a press release on its official report Monday, “Manner of death: Homicide.

“How injury occurred: Decedent experienced a cardiopulmonary arrest while being restrained by law enforcement officer(s),’’ the release continued.

It added that it also found “other significant conditions: Arteriosclerotic and hypertensive heart disease; fentanyl intoxication; recent methamphetamine use’’ during its autopsy of Floyd.

The report surfaced a few hours after two independent medical examiners hired by Floyd’s family detailed their own investigation that contradicted the county ME’s initial findings.

Floyd was killed by “asphyxia due to neck and back compression,’’ the family’s experts said.