Defense has resumed its closing arguments after the judge called for a lunch recess.
Derek Chauvin guilty on all counts in death of George Floyd
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.
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Defense attacks doctors who testified as witnesses for state
Nelson took down several of the doctors the prosecution brought on as witnesses, stating that they were incorrect in their testimonies.
Nelson criticized cardiologist Dr. Jonathan Rich, who concluded that Floyd had a strong heart despite a 90% narrowing of the right coronary artery, a 75% narrowing in the left anterior descending artery, enlarged heart and history of hypertension.
The testimonies of Rich and an additional four doctors fly "in the absolute face of reason and common sense," especially in the testimony that none of Floyd’s preexisting conditions contributed to his death, Nelson said.
"It’s astounding," he said.
State has a large burden of proof, defense says
Prosecutors have a laundry list of items to prove in order for Chauvin to be convicted, Nelson said.
The state’s burden of proof includes proving that Floyd’s heart disease, history of hypertension and toxicology levels played no role in his death, Nelson said.
The state must also convince the jury beyond a reasonable doubt that Floyd was not experiencing excited delirium that contributed to his death and that the adrenaline produced as a result Floyd's physical resistance played no role, Nelson said.
Defense urges jury to decide whether Chauvin intentionally applied unlawful force
Nelson argued that Chauvin had no intent to purposefully use unlawful force.
"Officer Chauvin made a decision not to use higher levels of force when he would have been authorized to do that, including punches, kicks, elbows," Nelson said.
"All of these tools were available to Officer Chauvin," Nelson said, adding that officers called for EMS within one minute of putting Floyd on the ground.