The newest on the derek chauvin trial

By Grace Downing, 2022

Published 4/07/21

Derek Chauvin, former Minneapolis Police Officer, is facing chargers of manslaughter, second degree murder, and third degree murder, regarding the death of George Floyd.

Last May, the death of Mr. Floyd drew widespread outrage and media attention after a video of Chauvin kneeling on the neck of a gasping Floyd on the streets of Minneapolis began circulating. The nationwide protests and movements that followed his death inspired a fierce resurgence of the Black Lives Matter Movement and a nationwide call for an end to police brutality. The case has finally reached criminal court, where Derek Chauvin is being prosecuted.

Here are the most recent facts of the case:

1. The testimony of the chief of the Minneapolis Police Department, Chief Medaria Arradondo, says Chauvin “absolutely” violated policy.

2. The ER doctor who pronounced Floyd’s death, Dr. Bradford Wankhede Langenfeld, testified he most likely died due to a lack of oxygen, asphyxia. He also stated that an overdose was a much less likely cause of death because the paramedics who delivered Floyd to the hospital gave no indication that there was an overdose.

3. Chauvin’s former training director, Katie Blackwell, testified that Chauvin’s training would have told him to offer medical aid when a suspect is “in distress.”

The testimony of Chief Arradondo shows Chauvin’s superior asserting his actions were a clear violation of policy. Additionally, Dr. Langenfeld is a valuable asset to the prosecution's argument as Eric J. Nelson, Mr. Chauvin’s lawyer continues to suggest drugs and preconceived medical conditions were partly responsible for Floyd’s death. The doctor’s words undermine parts of this argument as he describes how, even if Floyd had been experiencing an overdose on fentanyl and methamphetamine, no medical care had been given.

The trial of Derek Chauvin continues to unfold, and will continue to pursue justice for George Floyd with a few more days left in court for testimony.