Police officials and other key witnesses delivered testimony on the fifth day of former Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin’s murder trials over the death of George Floyd.
Police sergeant Jon Edwards was the first witness to give testimony on Friday, a half-day for the trial that’s expected to last one month, describing how he secured the scene following Floyd’s death, which was captured on bystander video as Chauvin pressed his knee into Floyd’s neck for nearly nine minutes. The video sparked international outcry and protests against racism and police brutality.
The court heard compelling and emotional testimony during the first week of the trial, including from Floyd’s girlfriend, who opened up about how the couple suffered from opioid addiction. Numerous witnesses said they believed the cops were not providing life-saving critical care to Floyd as Chauvin detained him for several minutes in a restraint that was largely condemned by his own colleagues and law enforcement officials.
Check out The Independent’s live updates and analysis as it came in below.
Read more:
- Derek Chauvin trial enters fourth day after jurors shown video of George Floyd’s cries of ‘I can’t breathe’
- Who are the leading prosecution and defence attorneys in Derek Chauvin trial?
- Derek Chauvin: Will he take the stand and what is he charged with?
- Who is Derek Chauvin, the officer charged with murdering George Floyd?
- ‘I thought he was dead’: Paramedic describes responding to George Floyd scene
