As Minneapolis cop Derek Chauvin and three others prepare to stand trial in the death of George Floyd, a judge ruled that body cam footage from a previous arrest and information about criminal behavior in the past will not be allowed at trial.
Chauvin's trial on charges of manslaughter and second-degree murder begin March 8 after video footage went viral of him kneeling on Floyd's neck while he cried that he couldn't breathe. Chauvin will be tried separately from the three other officers on the scene.
Defense attorneys had sought to include information at Chauvin's trial about Floyd's past, but Judge Peter Cahill ruled against them. This is the second blow for the defense in recent weeks: Attorneys also sought a delay, citing the dangers of COVID. That request was denied.
The other defendants, Alexander Kueng, Thomas Lane and Tou Thao, will be tried together on lesser charges, including aiding and abetting the murder of Floyd. Their trial is scheduled to begin Aug. 23.
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