The Minnesota v. Chauvin Trial: What You Need to Know

graphic by samantha currier

As we enter the fourth freaking week of the Minnesota v. Derek Chauvin murder trial, it is only fair to be infuriated with the length of this damn trial. However, it is also important to take a look at what has been accomplished in the first two weeks.

The country was (rightfully) sent into outrage when George Floyd was murdered on May 25th, 2020, after Chauvin, a police officer, knelt on his neck for nine minutes and 29 seconds. We all know the story by now, but supposedly Floyd was suspected of paying with a counterfeit $20 bill at a convenience store and ended up dead. This was all caught on video, and yet we are still debating whether or not Chauvin is guilty. But no, the justice system is not racist (cue eye roll).

On week one of the trial, eyewitnesses were brought to the stand who watched as Floyd was pinned to the ground with Chauvin’s knee pressed against his neck. Most stood at the podium crying and overcome with an immense feeling of guilt for not doing more to save Floyd’s life. Really, though, there was nothing anybody could do, because if a bystander tried to get closer, other policemen would stop them. Charles McMillian, who was driving by and saw the murder happen, stated "Even I said to the officer, I said, 'man, he said he can't breathe.' They said, 'if he keep talking, well, he can breathe''"

The arrest and death were played over and over at various angles. Here’s the chain of events: Right after the store clerk called the police with suspicions of counterfeit money, Floyd was approached with a pistol drawn. Then he was held to the police car and finally pinned to the ground by Chauvin. Lieutenant Richard Zimmerman, the longest standing officer on the Minneapolis Police Force, testified that Chauvin’s actions qualify as “deadly force.”

The lawyers outlined their strategies and it became apparent that Chauvin’s lawyers were going to argue that his knee was not directly on Floyd’s neck. Additionally, they are contending that drugs played a role, as Floyd had methamphetamine and fentanyl in his system when he was murdered.

On week two of the trial, Medaria Arradondo, the Chief of the Minneapolis Police Department said Chauvin “absolutely” violated department policies in his handling of the arrest. He said that he should have stopped using force when Floyd verbally expressed his distress. This is crucial in proving that Chauvin acted out of police policy.

This week was very focused on the impact of drugs and other factors in Floyd’s death. There were no drugs found in his car and, although there was methamphetamine and fentanyl in his system, no fragments were found in his stomach.

Additionally, Floyd has a diagnosed heart condition causing his heart to be enlarged, which means his body requires more oxygen. However, ultimately, this would not have been the precise thing to kill Floyd, although it could have contributed slightly. Dr. Andrew Baker, who did the autopsy report, stated, “the law enforcement subdual, restraint, and the neck compression was just more than Mr. Floyd could take by virtue of those heart conditions.”

The next two weeks will prove significant in determining how much of a punishment Chauvin will get, but the way things are going, hopefully he will be locked up for a long, long time.

While Chauvin may receive the consequences he justly deserves, there are still many other victims of police brutality who have not been given justice. Breonna Taylor. Daunte Right. Rayshard Brooks. Daniel Prude. Atatiana Jefferson. All of these innocent people and dozens more rest without justice and without peace. As racism persists in this incredibly messed up country, we must demand that real justice be served.