Closing arguments have ended and the jury has begun deliberations after after two weeks of testimony in the trial of Derek Chauvin, the former cop accused of killing George Floyd.
It was the last chance for both sides to sum up their main arguments and push the narratives they've set to bolster claims of guilty or not guilty in the death of George Floyd.
Closing arguments took more than five hours today. It started with state Attorney Steve Schleicher, whose argument lasted one hour and 43 minutes. Defense Attorney Eric Nelson took two hours and 48 minutes. The state rebutted with Attorney Jerry Blackwell, who took 43 minutes.
After closing statements, the jury was given the case to deliberate. They will work from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. each day until they come up with a verdict.
During jury instructions, Judge Peter Cahill reminded the jury that the burden of proof is on the state in the death of George Floyd. He also explained how to consider the death of Floyd.
"The fact that other causes contributed to the death does not relieve the defendant of criminal liability, however, the defendant is not criminally liable if a superseding cause caused the death."
Eric Nelson, who represents Chauvin, has argued that Floyd didn't die from Chauvin's knee on his neck, instead arguing that he died from an acute cardiac event that stemmed from underlying heart conditions, methamphetamine and fentanyl use or a combination of these factors.
Nelson has also claimed proper use of force is situational and that actions which look bad "might be lawful and justified," The Guardian reported. The attorney also argued that the crowd near the arrest scene "posed a risk to officers."
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