Jury begins deliberations in George Floyd murder trial
MINNEAPOLIS: Jurors began mulling the fate of the white ex-Minneapolis policeman accused of killing African-American man George Floyd, a death that sparked a nationwide reckoning on racism and that prosecutors called a “shocking abuse of authority”.
“You must be absolutely fair,” Hennepin County Judge Peter Cahill said in his final instructions to the 12-member jury hearing the case against former officer Derek Chauvin on Monday.
“Consider and weigh the evidence and apply the law.”
Chauvin, 45, is charged with murder and manslaughter over Floyd’s May 25, 2020 death, which sparked protests against racial injustice around the world and has become a landmark test of police accountability in the United States.
Chauvin was captured on video kneeling on Floyd’s neck, as the latter was pinned facedown and handcuffed on the ground for more than nine minutes complaining, “I can’t breathe.”
In his instructions to the jury, the judge touched on the significance of the case, which comes amid heightened tensions fuelled by other police killings.
“You must not let bias, prejudice, passion, sympathy or public opinion influence your decision,” Cahill said. “You must not consider any consequences or penalties that might follow from your verdict.”
Prosecutors, in closing arguments to the jury, which will be sequestered during deliberations, repeatedly showed the harrowing video seen by millions around the world.
“This wasn’t policing, this was murder,” prosecutor Steve Schleicher told the jury.
“Nine minutes and 29 seconds of shocking abuse of authority. The defendant is guilty of all three counts. And there’s no excuse.”
Defense attorney Eric Nelson told the jury they had to look at Chauvin’s actions “from the perspective of a reasonable police officer”. “He did not purposefully use unlawful force,” Nelson said. “This was not a neck restraint. This was not a choke hold.”
He said Floyd’s heart disease and drug use were factors in his death.
“They’re trying to convince you that Mr Floyd’s heart disease played no role,” he added.
With the case drawing to a close, some stores were boarded up in Minneapolis yesterday.
The courthouse was ringed with concrete barriers and razor wire, and National Guard troops were on patrol.
About 300 protesters marched in the streets outside the courthouse shortly after the jury got the case, lining up behind a banner reading, “Justice 4 George floyd & all stolen lives. The world is watching.”