Defence witness blames Floyd’s death on heart rhythm problem

Floyd died of a sudden heart rhythm disturbance as a result of his heart disease, a forensic pathologist testified for the defence Wednesday at former officer Derek Chauvin’s murder trial, contradicting experts who said Floyd succumbed to a lack of oxygen from the way he was pinned down.

Dr. David Fowler, a former

Maryland chief medical examiner and now a member of a consulting firm, said the fentanyl and methamphetamine in Floyd’s system, and possible carbon monoxide poisoning from auto exhaust, were contributing factors in the 46-yearold Black man’s death last May.

“All of those combined to cause Mr. Floyd’s death,” he said on the second day of the defence case.

Fowler also testified that he would classify the manner of death “undetermined,” rather than homicide as the county’s chief medical examiner ruled. He said Floyd’s death had too many conflicting factors.

Prosecutors say Floyd died because the white officer’s knee was pressed against Floyd’s neck or neck area for 9 ⁄ minutes

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2 as he lay pinned to the pavement on his stomach.