Chauvin trial re George Floyd - Sky News

[chilling19]

Is anyone watching this? With the really upsetting and unarguable against video footage I can't see how the defence can build a case. Also the baiting by the defence lawyer of the female EMT witness was horrendous, as was the judge telling her off. She held her ground though, as did the previous child (female) witnesses.

I can't believe somone actually typed this with a straight face. Re-videos. It shows lack of understanding and naivity to thr whole situation. And the more I type my reply the sadder it makes me feel.

What you don't think people need advice and guidance in how to try and protect themselves when pulled over by the police then? So that there's a chance they might actually get to go home at the end of it? It might not always work, but taking steps to de-escalate the situation can't make things worse. We can't wave a magic wand and suddenly make the police force ok. That takes time. We can take steps to protect ourselves whilst trying to change how the police conduct themselves though. You might think that's sad and naive, I'd call it an attempt at self preservation, having been the victim of police violence myself and considering the steps I now take to reduce the risk of that happening again. Sorry that your reply to my post made you sad though

If Chauvin is found not guilty, right there is the proof that black lives are held cheap and really do not matter in the US. The defence cross examination was really scratching for anything to hold on to.

The way I see it, Floyd was lynched for being big and black and male. Chauvin did not like being towered over by a suspect/arrestee. There is an old well-known and deeply-embedded cultural fear in some elements of the white population of large, muscular black men that almost views their bodies as weapons and their minds as malevolent. I think we are seeing the ultimate result of that sort of thinking unfettered.

@NewlyGranny

If Chauvin is found not guilty, right there is the proof that black lives are held cheap and really do not matter in the US. The defence cross examination was really scratching for anything to hold on to.

The way I see it, Floyd was lynched for being big and black and male. Chauvin did not like being towered over by a suspect/arrestee. There is an old well-known and deeply-embedded cultural fear in some elements of the white population of large, muscular black men that almost views their bodies as weapons and their minds as malevolent. I think we are seeing the ultimate result of that sort of thinking unfettered.

I'm American and agree. I hope the jury wipes that smirk from Chauvin's face for all eternity.

So embarrassed for my country.

@MyPatchworkQuilt

Also finding today very sad.

I wonder if Chauvin will testify, I mean there is nothing he can say but what a bastard.

There's no way. My sister is a defense attorney here in the US and she has myriad reasons he can't take the stand.

I've been glued to this trial . Tobin destroyed the defence yesterday. They gave up pretty quick . I can't see what another 2 weeks will achieve. Yesterday sealed it in my eyes anyway .

Discussion about low oxygen from the autopsy expert v interesting.

One thing that shocks me about the American justice system, which hasn't applied in this case, is how long people seem to be in jail for pre-court. So people who may be innocent are locked up for years before they can show this.

The autopsy guy looked irritated by the defence lawyer. As am I.

To be fair to the defence lawyer, he can't just give up and say "you got me there!" unless his client decides to change his plea.

In a way, I wish the defendant would come to the stand. I don't expect he will. What interests me is whether, while he's note-taking or doodling or whatever it is he's doing with pen and paper, he's also taking anything in. I can't help but think it must have begun to dawn on him, as Dr Tobin was speaking, just what had really happened to George Floyd and what he, Chauvin, had done.

Perhaps the writing activity is a mechanism to block thoughts, though, or surely he'd be burying his head in his hands in anguish, like so many of us watching who weren't personally responsible in the way Chauvin is.

I could see the compassion in Tobin's face and hear it in his voice alright, though. Imagine decades of struggling to save lives and failing 40% of the time and then watching a street crucifixion where someone dies by having the breath squeezed out of them cubic centimetre by cubic centimetre. 😭

As for the defence lawyer, I think he has given up on some level. Witness after witness has sat, puzzled, through his cross-examination, unable to ask what they are clearly thinking: "What on earth are you getting at? Where are you going with this line of questioning? What is it you are trying to get me to say?!"

It must be hard as a defence lawyer when you can see your case is in crumbs and all the witnesses are damning but yoir client won't budge. I guess it must be fairly common though. How late can you do a plea bargain? You often hear abouts that in the American courts?

@Tibtom

That all depends on the prosecutor and then the judge agreeing to the change in plea. It’s unlikely they would allow a plea bargain in this case I think, because they’ve already put so much time into the trial and he’s very unlikely to be acquitted.

My god...courts will be busy.

I'm just sick reading how his mother begged to get her child's body off the ground.

Only in America can you be shot and killed for a traffic violation.

www.nytimes.com/2021/04/11/us/brooklyn-center-minnesota-police-shooting.html?referringSource=articleShare

Chauvin tried to negotiate a plea for 3rd degree murder prior to the case but i believe it was the attorney general who wouldn't agree to it.

I don't think they are trying to fight for an acquittal but rather just trying to get the lowest charge possible and the lightest sentence.

What happened was bad but it isn't intentional murder, 3rd degree murder or manslaughter is an appropriate charge but obviously this case is one of the most political cases in a long time and if they had agreed any plea deal for any sentence less than life in prison it would have meant even more rioting than there already was and potentially cost some politicians their seats. Unfortunately this case is more about politics than justice.

I wonder if they will suspend the trial for today due to the shooting and protests.

Sorry for DM but it shows more detail on this one:

www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-9460269/Gov-calls-probe-traffic-stop-Black-Army-officer.html

I believe this man likely saved his own life by pulling over at a gas station instead of in the dark. I believe these cops are sociopaths and would do the same to anyone including white men if they thought they could get away with it.

My DH had a cop draw his weapon on him at a simple traffic stop (he pulled up to a temporarily closed entrance at a military installment. It was not obviously marked closed until the gate, he simple attempted to turn around.) Even after he identified himself with military officer ID and explained why he was there (GPS, no signage about the entrance being closed) this state trooper kept his weapon drawn. It was terrifying.

The defence is covering every angle in this case.

I say this without any comment regarding what happened

Where the eggshell skull rule applies is when the act of the accused caused the death of the victim, for example if the knee caused the victim to die.

It does not apply where the victim died from the vulnerability, for example the victim OD'd due to drugs.

Also I know that this is an English law concept but I am not sure about Minnesota law

Cardiologist said every minute with no pulse reduces survival by 10-15% (we heard this earlier in trial too) , one reason why they invest significantly in training the community in bystander cpr. Glad that's recognised.

CPR is something that should be taught at school (IMHO)

@BananaMaltLoaf

The defence is covering every angle in this case.

I meant to say prosecution ffs.