Day 13 of the Derek Chauvin murder trial featured only one witness; a pathologist testing on behalf of the defense.
Dr. David Fowler is the former chief medical examiner for the State of Maryland, he said that he believes that heart disease, and other factors contributed to Floyd's death while being restrained by Minneapolis officers last May 25th.
"(Floyd) would have the toxicology, the fentanyl and methamphetamine. There is exposure to a vehicle exhaust, so potentially carbon monoxide poisoning."
The autopsy report of Dr. Andrew Baker, Hennepin County Chief Medical Examiner, did not list any evidence of carbon monoxide poising.
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As expected, under cross-examination by prosecutor Jerry Blackwell, the carbon monoxide assertion was questioned.
"You haven't seen any data or test results that showed Mr. Floyd had a single injury from carbon monoxide, correct?"
Fowler answered, "It is true."
The prosecution argues Floyd was asphyxiated while Derek Chauvin had a knee pinned to the back of Floyd's neck for over eight minutes.
Chauvin's attorney Eric Nelson showed Dr. Fowler and jurors still photos of something white in George Floyd's mouth as he was confronted by police, trying to prove the defense's argument that Floyd ingested illicit pills before his struggle.
On cross-examination, Blackwell questioned whether Fowler could have any idea what the white substance was shown in the photos.
"You are not, then, either telling or suggesting to the jury that the white substance was a pill, are you?"
Fowler answered, "No, I never did."
Thursday may the final day of testimony in the case, as Eric Nelson has at least one more witness to call, and it is still unknown if Chauvin will take the stand in his defense.
Judge Peter Cahill has said he would wait until Monday, April 19th for closing arguments and jury instructions before the jury would begin deliberations.
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