Derek Chauvin, the officer being held responsible for the murder of George Floyd in Minneapolis back in May of 2020, went to trial on March 29th. 

The first week of the trial consisted mainly of emotional recollections of the events that took place for eyewitnesses. The second week, however, was from law officials and medical experts who gave their takes on the acts that Derek Chauvin committed, which he pleaded innocent to, and the exact cause of death for George Floyd.

The medical witnesses who testified claimed that the cause of death was oxygen deprivation and that there is no evidence of a drug overdose. Chauvin’s lawyer has blamed his death on complications of drug use and an underlying heart condition. The Minneapolis Police Department confirmed that Chauvin did violate the police’s policy by pinning Floyd to the street. One medical examiner said the levels of fentanyl in Floyd’s system could have been fatal for some individuals, but clarified it was less likely than other potential causes of his death.

Chauvin “betrayed this badge when he used excessive and unreasonable force upon the body of Mr. George Floyd, that he put his knees upon his neck and his back grinding and crushing him until the very breath—no, ladies and gentlemen—until the very life was squeezed out of him,” attorney Jerry Blackwell said in his opening statement.

On April 20, 2021, Derek Chauvin was found guilty on all charges related to the death of George Floyd. 

Floyd’s girlfriend said it was a “huge day for the world” once the outcome was revealed in the courtroom. 

Sentencing will follow sometime in June. The max sentencing Chauvin could receive is 75 years. The 3 other officers involved in the situation will be tried together in August.