Prosecution and defense attorneys made their closing arguments Monday in the trial of former Minneapolis Police Officer Derek Chauvin — accused of murder in the death of George Floyd.
The prosecution has focused on the excessive force that Chauvin used when he detained George Floyd during an arrest last year. Relying on expert witnesses, prosecutors argued that Chauvin directly caused Floyd’s death when he knelt on Floyd’s neck for more than nine minutes — continuing even after Floyd became unresponsive.
The defense, meanwhile, has worked throughout the trial to create doubt about whether Chauvin is at fault for Floyd’s death. They have highlighted toxicology reports that show Floyd had drugs in his system on the day he died, and other medical findings that showed his history of heart problems.
The trial is wrapping up against the backdrop of unrest in Minnesota after a police shooting killed Daunte Wright in nearby Brooklyn Center. Protests continued throughout the weekend over the death of Wright, who is black, at the hands of a white police officer.
Jury deliberations will begin once the closing arguments end on Monday, after jurors listened to nearly three weeks of emotional and detailed testimony.
Chauvin has been charged with second-degree murder, third-degree murder and second-degree manslaughter. The jury will consider whether the prosecution sufficiently proved each of the three charges, while the country awaits a verdict in one of the most explosive trials in recent memory.
