Derek Michael Chauvin
(born March 19, 1976) is an American former police officer undergoing a trial on murder charges in the killing of George Floyd in Minneapolis, Minnesota, on May 25, 2020.
During an arrest made by Chauvin and three other officers, he knelt on Floyd’s neck for about nine minutes while Floyd was handcuffed, lying face down on the street calling out “I can’t breathe”.The next day, Chauvin was fired by the Minneapolis Police Department. He is charged with second-degree murder and lesser included offenses. The incident set off a series of protests in the Twin Cities and across the rest of the United States, later spreading around the world. Chauvin was released on bail on October 7, 2020. His murder trial began on March 8, 2021
After Floyd allegedly resisted arrest, officers dragged him from his car and pinned him to the ground.It was then that Chauvin held Floyd down with his knee on his neck and his other knee in the middle of his back.The disturbing fatal encounter was caught on video by onlookers.
Also in the video, Officer Tou Thao can be seen to the right of Floyd ushering the crowds away from the scene.
Both cops and other officers involved have been since fired.
When did Chauvin’s murder trial start?
Chauvin went on trial for murder in March of 2021.
He is charged with second-degree murder and manslaughter in Floyd’s death, but prosecutors are trying to add a third-degree murder count.
Prosecutors are asking the Court of Appeals to put the trial on hold until the issue is resolved.
George Floyd Died After Chauvin Knelt On His Neck
While arresting Floyd for allegedly using a counterfeit bill in May 2020, Chauvin pinned the unarmed Black man, to the ground by kneeling on his neck. In footage of the arrest, Floyd can be heard pleading “please, please I can’t breathe… My stomach hurts… my neck hurts.” Chauvin remained kneeling on Floyd’s neck for over nine minutes as bystanders begged him to stop. Three other officers stood by as Floyd fell unconscious. He died in an ambulance on the way to the hospital.
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