The former officer was found responsible for the May 2020 death of Floyd.
Former Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin was found guilty on all three counts in the death of George Floyd.
Nelson, Chauvin’s attorney, began his closing statement by reminding the jurors that Chauvin is presumed innocent and does not have to prove his innocence.
Nelson also read the definition of proof beyond a reasonable doubt that the judge read to the jury in his instructions earlier in the day.
Schleicher ended his closing statement by emphasizing that Chauvin’s actions were "not policing" but rather murder, urging the jury to trust their eyes and gut.
"The defendant is guilty of all three counts. All of it. And there’s no excuse," Schleicher said.
Chauvin’s defense attorney Eric Nelson will give his closing argument after a 20-minute break.
Schleicher played the portion of the cellphone video where Floyd asked Chauvin for water and told him he could not breathe to show that Chauvin was indifferent to the distress Floyd was in.
Chauvin displayed "conscious indifference" to Floyd as he "leisurely" picked rocks out of a tire and commented on the smell of Floyd’s feet, even as Floyd’s voice became weaker, Schleicher said. Chauvin also ignored Floyd’s pleas and failed to provide medical attention, Schleicher added.
"This isn't protection," Schleicher said. "This isn't courage. And it certainly -- certainly is not and was not compassion. It was the opposite of that."
Chauvin’s actions were intentional because he knew that kneeling on Floyd’s neck was dangerous and an unlawful use of force, Schleicher said.
"We don't have to show that the Defendant intended to kill him," he said. "The only thing about the defendant's intent that we have to prove is that he applied force to George Floyd on purpose, that this wasn't an accident."
