Derek Chauvin trial: Witnesses questioned by lawyers

Chauvin, who has pleaded not guilty, is facing multiple murder charges.

ByJulia Jacobo
Last Updated: March 29, 2021, 8:14 PM EDT

The trial for Derek Chauvin, the former Minneapolis police officer charged in the death of George Floyd, began Monday in Minneapolis.

He faces charges of manslaughter, second-degree murder and third-degree murder.

The trial is expected to last four weeks.

Mar 29, 2021, 4:21 PM EDT

Attorneys for George Floyd’s family speak ahead of trial

The civil rights attorneys representing the family of George Floyd -- Benjamin Crump, Antonio Romanucci and L. Chris Stewart as well as the Rev. Al Sharpton -- spoke to reporters Monday morning.

“Today starts a landmark trial that will be a referendum on how far America has come in its quest for equality and justice for all,” Crump said, with Floyd’s family present.

PHOTO: Floyd family lawyer, Attorney Ben Crump, left,and Rev. Al Sharpton, the founder and President of National Action Network,center, and George Floyd's brother kneel on March 29, 2021 in Minneapolis.
Floyd family lawyer, Attorney Ben Crump, left,and Rev. Al Sharpton, the founder and President of National Action Network,center, and George Floyd's brother kneel outside the Hennepin County Government Center on the opening day of the trial of former Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin on March 29, 2021 in Minneapolis.
Kerem Yucel/AFP via Getty Images

Crump stressed that the evidence against Chauvin speaks for itself, saying this “murder case is not hard."

“We're not asking for anything extraordinary,” Crump said. “We're asking for equal justice under the law.”

ABC News’ Arielle Mitropoulos contributed to this report.

Mar 29, 2021, 10:52 AM EDT

15th juror to be excused

Hennepin County District Court Judge Peter Cahill will excuse the 15th juror chosen for Chauvin's trial as court gets underway.

The first 14 jurors are present and will be sworn in and seated. 

Eight jurors are white and six are people of color, including four jurors who self-identify as Black. There are nine women and five men. 

ABC News’ Whitney Lloyd contributed to this report.

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