Chief Police Richard Zimmerman asserts inappropriate procedures by Derrick Chauvin could have caused George Floyd’s death on day 5 of trial.
On May 25, 2020, the killing of George Floyd by Minneapolis Police Officer Derrick Chauvin shook the world. It ignited a series of protests which led to a global movement that sought justice for the unjust killings of African-Americans by police officers throughout the United States . Now, as of March 29, 2021, the long awaited Derek Chauvin trial for the death of George Floyd is finally under way.
Former Minneapolis police officer Derrick Chauvin is charged with second-degree murder, third degree murder and second degree manslaughter in the death of George Floyd. The prosecution, aim to prove that the officers actions caused Floyds death while the defense has argued that Floyd’s health issues and drug use caused him to die from cardiac arrhythmia. 2 Separate autopsies had ruled Floyd died as a result of the mechanical asphyxiation as a result of “law enforcement subdual, restraint and neck compression”.
However there is still convincing potential for the defenses side. A toxicology report reviews a long list of drugs that were in Floyd system at the time of death which include: Fentanyl, amphetamines, methamphetamines, norfentanyl, THC, and others. This combined with a number of natural heart diseases could of very well complicated the altercation with the police an dead to his death.
Day 5 of the trial has proved pivotal for the prosecution as they continue to hone in on inappropriate policing actions and procedures that were performed by Derrick Chauvin in his arrest of George Floyd. A testimony by Minneapolis police lieutenant Richard Zimmerman reveals the extent of these inappropriate procedures which could of caused his death.
Zimmerman claimed that the way Chauvin knelt on George Floyd and two other officers also restrained him as he lay on his front on the street was “totally unnecessary” in his opinion. While the defense also had was also asked why it would not be correct use of force for an officer to press a knee to a suspect’s neck. “If you kneel on a person’s neck, that can kill them” said Zimmerman.
The Defense followed up by having Zimmerman acknowledge that an officer can improvise for the sake of his own safety if his life is under threat in a confrontation. Zimmerman refuted and told the jury that it was not an acceptable use of force for Chauvin, to press his knee to the neck of a prone suspect, even if he was improvising in the situation
The trial is set to resume on Monday morning when Police Chief Medaria Arradondo will testify for the prosecution. His testimony could prove monumental in reinforcing the negligence and improper use of force by Derek Chauvin that lead to the death of George Floyd. Although Dereck Chauvin may have had the intention of killing George Floyd, his negligence may leave him guilty. The findings within this trial may very well set new precedents in policing. We could expect to see possible reforms in policing procedures which specifically address the use of force and more protocols in following procedures strictly.
