The attorney for Derek Chauvin began his defence of the former Minneapolis police officer on Tuesday. A use of force expert called by Chauvin's defence team said that former police officer was justified in kneeling on George Floyd's neck.

Chauvin's defence begins case: Expert says use of force on Floyd was justified

A pulmonary expert has revealed that George Floyd was killed by lack of oxygen which was caused by the pressing of the knee into his neck while he was held down by the police officer.

On the ninth day of the Derek Chauvin murder trial, Dr Martin Tobin told the jury that the Black man struggled with lack of oxygen as his face was pressed between the street and Chauvin.

"Mr Floyd died from a low level of oxygen and this caused damage to his brain,"&nbsp;Dr Tobin said.

The lack of oxygen is what caused Floyd's heart to stop, leading to his death. He also reported that the oxygen deprivation happened as Floyd's breathing became shallow due to the position he was held by Chauvin and other police officers for nearly ten minutes.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/pulmonary-expert-floyd-died-of-low-oxygen-level-prone-position-contributed-376200">Watch |</a>

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/pulmonary-expert-floyd-died-of-low-oxygen-level-prone-position-contributed-376200/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

"He's turned prone on the street, that he has the handcuffs in place combined with the street, and then that he has a knee on his neck, and that he has a knee on his back," the doctor said.

"It was almost to the effect that if a surgeon had gone in and removed the lung, Dr Tobin explained through a graphic testimony.

Dr Tobin also added that one of the most dangerous things other than the knee was the positions in which the other officers held his handcuffs. He explained that one officer pushed Floyd’s left hand against his chest while Chauvin's knee "really rammed" into his back, while Floyd was forcibly glued to the hard pavement of the street. Chauvin had also loaded a lot of his own body weight on Floyd, making him struggle to breathe.

Meanwhile, the 45-year-old officer has denied charges of second and third-degree murder and manslaughter. Chauvin faces up to 40 years in prison if convicted for the allegations.

A pulmonary expert has revealed that George Floyd was killed by lack of oxygen which was caused by the pressing of the knee into his neck while he was held down by the police officer.

A pulmonary expert has revealed that George Floyd was killed by lack of oxygen which was caused by the pressing of the knee into his neck while he was held down by the police officer. On the ninth day of the Derek Chauvin murder trial, Dr Martin Tobin told the jury that the Black man struggled with lack of oxygen as his face was pressed between the street and Chauvin. "Mr Floyd died from a low level of oxygen and this caused damage to his brain," Dr Tobin said. The lack of oxygen is what caused Floyd's heart to stop, leading to his death. He also reported that the oxygen deprivation happened as Floyd's breathing became shallow due to the position he was held by Chauvin and other police officers for nearly ten minutes. Watch | "He's turned prone on the street, that he has the handcuffs in place combined with the street, and then that he has a knee on his neck, and that he has a knee on his back," the doctor said. "It was almost to the effect that if a surgeon had gone in and removed the lung, Dr Tobin explained through a graphic testimony. Dr Tobin also added that one of the most dangerous things other than the knee was the positions in which the other officers held his handcuffs. He explained that one officer pushed Floyd’s left hand against his chest while Chauvin's knee "really rammed" into his back, while Floyd was forcibly glued to the hard pavement of the street. Chauvin had also loaded a lot of his own body weight on Floyd, making him struggle to breathe. Meanwhile, the 45-year-old officer has denied charges of second and third-degree murder and manslaughter. Chauvin faces up to 40 years in prison if convicted for the allegations.

George Floyd died by lack of oxygen, Pulmonary expert rules in Derek Chauvin murder trial

Doctors testified that Floyd died of a lack of oxygen after he was pinned to the ground with his hands cuffed behind him and Chauvin's knee on his neck.

High stakes trial of Derek Chauvin continues

Dr. Martin Tobin, a pulmonary expert testified George Floyd died from a lack of oxygen. He listed up four reasons as to why Floyd was unable to get enough oxygen.

Pulmonary expert: Floyd died of low oxygen level, prone position contributed

Use-of-force expert has testified that former Minneapolis officer Derek Chauvin had no need to kneel on the neck of George Floyd once he was handcuffed and prone. Floyd's drug use history also came under scrutiny.

Use-of-force expert testifies in Floyd murder trial says 'no force was reasonable'

A national expert in the proper use of force by police testified on Wednesday that former Minneapolis officer Derek Chauvin had no need to kneel on the neck of George Floyd once he was handcuffed and prone.

Los Angeles Police Department Sergeant Jody Stiger appeared as a prosecution witness at Chauvin's murder trial, offering testimony intended to show that the defendant disregarded his training during his deadly arrest of the 46-year-old Black man last May.

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Stiger told jurors that Floyd posed no immediate threat and was not actively resisting when Chauvin used deadly force on him by pinning his neck to the ground for more than nine minutes.

"My opinion was that no force was reasonable in that position," Stiger testified. "The pressure ... caused by the body weight could cause positional asphyxia and could cause death."

Floyd's death, captured on video widely viewed on social media, prompted protests against racism and police brutality in many cities across the United States and around the world.

Chauvin, who is white, has pleaded not guilty to murder and manslaughter charges, arguing that he was following the training he had received in his 19 years on the police force. Three other officers on the scene have been charged with aiding and abetting murder and will stand trial later this year.

Chauvin and the three other officers were attempting to arrest Floyd on suspicion of using a fake $20 bill to buy cigarettes at a food store. They were fired the day after the incident.

Stiger, who has reviewed 2,500 cases in which police used force, resumed his testimony after first appearing on Tuesday.

Prosecutor Steve Schleicher asked him to describe several photographs showing officers restraining Floyd. Stiger testified that it appeared Chauvin's use of force was excessive.

"He was handcuffed, not attempting to resist, not attempting to assault officers, kick, punch of that nature," Stiger said of Floyd.

Stiger testified that Chauvin squeezed Floyd's hand to get him to comply with the officer's orders while he was handcuffed in the prone position and that Floyd did not appear to have an opportunity to comply.

"At that point, it was just pain," Stiger said.

'Has to be proportional'

Questioned by defense lawyer Eric Nelson, Stiger agreed that a police officer needed to take into account various factors during a fluid situation when considering using force.

"It has to be proportional," Stiger said. "You are constantly reassessing during the time frame."

Stiger also agreed with Nelson that Chauvin came upon a situation in which a suspect was actively resisting officers who were trying to put him into a police squad car as people in a crowd yelled insults at them, posing a "potential threat."

Nelson showed Stiger photographs taken at different times of the incident showing Chauvin with his knee on Floyd. Nelson asked Stiger whether he agreed that Chauvin's knee was on Floyd's shoulder blades rather than his neck.

"It appears to be more above the shoulder blades than on the shoulder blades," Stiger testified, not agreeing with Nelson.

Prosecutors then called three Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension investigators, including Senior Special Agent James Reyerson, an expert on the use of force and the lead investigator in the case.

Part of Reyerson's testimony involved the investigation of the police squad car and Floyd's Mercedes Benz vehicle.

Reyerson testified that six months after the incident, Chauvin's lawyers re-examined the police car and found what was later determined to be pills that had Floyd's DNA on them. During its opening statement in the trial, Chauvin's defense team said the pills contained methamphetamine with fentanyl.

Reyerson agreed with Nelson that it sounded on one video of the incident as if Floyd said he "ate too many drugs." But during more questioning later from the prosecution, Reyerson agreed that it sounded as if Floyd said: "I ain't do no drugs."

Later in the day, McKenzie Anderson, a forensic scientist with the bureau, took the stand to describe collecting pills from the vehicles over the course of the investigation, including whole and partial tablets from the police squad car.

She testified that Floyd's blood was found in the back of the squad car and that pills found in the vehicle had saliva that matched Floyd's DNA.

(With inputs from Agencies)

A national expert in the proper use of force by police testified on Wednesday that former Minneapolis officer Derek Chauvin had no need to kneel on the neck of George Floyd once he was handcuffed and prone.

A national expert in the proper use of force by police testified on Wednesday that former Minneapolis officer Derek Chauvin had no need to kneel on the neck of George Floyd once he was handcuffed and prone. Los Angeles Police Department Sergeant Jody Stiger appeared as a prosecution witness at Chauvin's murder trial, offering testimony intended to show that the defendant disregarded his training during his deadly arrest of the 46-year-old Black man last May. Stiger told jurors that Floyd posed no immediate threat and was not actively resisting when Chauvin used deadly force on him by pinning his neck to the ground for more than nine minutes. "My opinion was that no force was reasonable in that position," Stiger testified. "The pressure ... caused by the body weight could cause positional asphyxia and could cause death." Floyd's death, captured on video widely viewed on social media, prompted protests against racism and police brutality in many cities across the United States and around the world. Chauvin, who is white, has pleaded not guilty to murder and manslaughter charges, arguing that he was following the training he had received in his 19 years on the police force. Three other officers on the scene have been charged with aiding and abetting murder and will stand trial later this year. Chauvin and the three other officers were attempting to arrest Floyd on suspicion of using a fake $20 bill to buy cigarettes at a food store. They were fired the day after the incident. Stiger, who has reviewed 2,500 cases in which police used force, resumed his testimony after first appearing on Tuesday. Prosecutor Steve Schleicher asked him to describe several photographs showing officers restraining Floyd. Stiger testified that it appeared Chauvin's use of force was excessive. "He was handcuffed, not attempting to resist, not attempting to assault officers, kick, punch of that nature," Stiger said of Floyd. Stiger testified that Chauvin squeezed Floyd's hand to get him to comply with the officer's orders while he was handcuffed in the prone position and that Floyd did not appear to have an opportunity to comply. "At that point, it was just pain," Stiger said. 'Has to be proportional' Questioned by defense lawyer Eric Nelson, Stiger agreed that a police officer needed to take into account various factors during a fluid situation when considering using force. "It has to be proportional," Stiger said. "You are constantly reassessing during the time frame." Stiger also agreed with Nelson that Chauvin came upon a situation in which a suspect was actively resisting officers who were trying to put him into a police squad car as people in a crowd yelled insults at them, posing a "potential threat." Nelson showed Stiger photographs taken at different times of the incident showing Chauvin with his knee on Floyd. Nelson asked Stiger whether he agreed that Chauvin's knee was on Floyd's shoulder blades rather than his neck. "It appears to be more above the shoulder blades than on the shoulder blades," Stiger testified, not agreeing with Nelson. Prosecutors then called three Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension investigators, including Senior Special Agent James Reyerson, an expert on the use of force and the lead investigator in the case. Part of Reyerson's testimony involved the investigation of the police squad car and Floyd's Mercedes Benz vehicle. Reyerson testified that six months after the incident, Chauvin's lawyers re-examined the police car and found what was later determined to be pills that had Floyd's DNA on them. During its opening statement in the trial, Chauvin's defense team said the pills contained methamphetamine with fentanyl. Reyerson agreed with Nelson that it sounded on one video of the incident as if Floyd said he "ate too many drugs." But during more questioning later from the prosecution, Reyerson agreed that it sounded as if Floyd said: "I ain't do no drugs." Later in the day, McKenzie Anderson, a forensic scientist with the bureau, took the stand to describe collecting pills from the vehicles over the course of the investigation, including whole and partial tablets from the police squad car. She testified that Floyd's blood was found in the back of the squad car and that pills found in the vehicle had saliva that matched Floyd's DNA. (With inputs from Agencies)

George Floyd trial: Expert testifies Chauvin had no need to use force

Lawyers for both the prosecution and the defense continued to argue on Tuesday over whether Derek Chauvin violated police policy when he knelt on George Floyd.

George Floyd Murder Trial: What happened in the Derek Chauvin trial on Day 7?

An emergency room doctor who tried to save George Floyd's life for nearly half an hour before declaring him dead believed Mr Floyd died likely due to lack of oxygen. Watch this report

Doctor who pronounced George Floyd dead says 'Asphyxia' was likely cause

The girlfriend of George Floyd, a 46-year-old Black man who was mercilessly killed by a police officer in Minneapolis last year, took the witness stand on Thursday. She spoke about how their relationship progressed, and how an addiction to painkillers took hold of their life together.

The death of Floyd had set off protests across the United States and around the world over racial injustice and police brutality against Black people -- in the form of Black Lives Matter movement.

Courteney Ross, 45, was the first witness who personally knew Floyd to testify at the trial of Derek Chauvin, the former Minneapolis policeman charged with murdering the man she loved by kneeling on his neck during an arrest last May.

In her testimony, Ross described how her romance with Floyd began in 2017 when he offered to pray with her. She also spoke about addiction: as with millions of other Americans, Floyd and Ross struggled to quit opioids.

They both suffered from chronic pain: Courteney's was in my neck, his was in his back.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/minneapolis-cashier-tells-jury-floyd-appeared-chatty-high-before-arrest-374614">Also read |&nbsp;Minneapolis cashier tells jury, Floyd appeared chatty, 'high' before arrest&nbsp;</a>

Prosecutors wanted the jury to hear Ross's frank account of opioid use to undermine a central plank of Chauvin's defence in a trial seen as a litmus test of accountability in US policing.

Chauvin's lawyers argue that Floyd's death, which the county medical examiner ruled a homicide at the hands of police, was really an overdose from the fentanyl found in his blood at an autopsy.

Prosecutors have said Eric Nelson, Chauvin's lead attorney, has sought to raise the drug use in an effort to muddy Floyd's character and that the theory would be contradicted by medical evidence.

Nelson seemed to acknowledge the sensitivity when he stood up to cross-examine Ross: "I'm sorry to hear about your struggles with opioid addiction," he began. "Thank you for sharing that with the jury."

When asked by prosecutors in the fourth day of witness testimony how she first met Floyd, Ross said she first met Floyd in August 2017 at a Salvation Army homeless shelter, where he worked as a security guard. She was waiting in the lobby to visit the father of her son after closing up the coffee shop where she worked. Floyd approached her.

"Floyd has this great, deep, southern voice, raspy," she said, "and he was, like, 'Sis'? You OK, sis'?'"

He sensed she felt sad and alone and offered to pray with her.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/witnesses-to-george-floyds-deadly-arrest-tell-jury-of-their-shock-horror-374391">Also read |&nbsp;Witnesses to George Floyd's deadly arrest tell jury of their shock, horror</a>

"It was so sweet," Ross said, dabbing a tissue to her eyes. "At the time I had lost a lot of faith in God."

They had their first kiss in the lobby that night and except an occasional break were together until his death, she said.

In his cellphone, Floyd listed Ross, a mother of two, as 'Mama.'

They took walks in the parks and around the lakes of Ross's native Minneapolis, which was still new to the Texas-raised Floyd, and dined out often: "He was a big man," she said, describing his daily weightlifting, "and it look a lot of energy to keep him going."

She said he adored his two young daughters and was a "mama's boy."

After his mother's death in 2018 he seemed "kind of like a shell of himself, like he was broken."

At times the couple took prescribed painkillers. At other times they bought OxyContin and other pills on the black market. Sometimes they beat the habit; sometimes they relapsed. 
"Addiction, in my opinion, is a lifelong struggle," she said. "It's not something that comes and goes, it's something I'll deal with forever."

Ross said her last conversation with Floyd was on May 24, when they spoke on the telephone.

A day later, Floyd was pinned under Chauvin's knee, under arrest on suspicion of buying cigarettes at a food store with a counterfeit $20 bill.

The jury has heard three days' of testimony by onlookers who said they screamed at Chauvin and other officers, imploring them to check Floyd's pulse.

On Thursday, paramedics who arrived at the scene testified that they had to move police off Floyd, who by then had stopped breathing, had no pulse and whose pupils were dilated.

(with inputs from agencies)

The girlfriend of George Floyd, a 46-year-old Black man who was mercilessly killed by a police officer in Minneapolis last year, took the witness stand on Thursday.

The girlfriend of George Floyd, a 46-year-old Black man who was mercilessly killed by a police officer in Minneapolis last year, took the witness stand on Thursday. She spoke about how their relationship progressed, and how an addiction to painkillers took hold of their life together. The death of Floyd had set off protests across the United States and around the world over racial injustice and police brutality against Black people -- in the form of Black Lives Matter movement. Courteney Ross, 45, was the first witness who personally knew Floyd to testify at the trial of Derek Chauvin, the former Minneapolis policeman charged with murdering the man she loved by kneeling on his neck during an arrest last May. In her testimony, Ross described how her romance with Floyd began in 2017 when he offered to pray with her. She also spoke about addiction: as with millions of other Americans, Floyd and Ross struggled to quit opioids. They both suffered from chronic pain: Courteney's was in my neck, his was in his back. Also read | Minneapolis cashier tells jury, Floyd appeared chatty, 'high' before arrest Prosecutors wanted the jury to hear Ross's frank account of opioid use to undermine a central plank of Chauvin's defence in a trial seen as a litmus test of accountability in US policing. Chauvin's lawyers argue that Floyd's death, which the county medical examiner ruled a homicide at the hands of police, was really an overdose from the fentanyl found in his blood at an autopsy. Prosecutors have said Eric Nelson, Chauvin's lead attorney, has sought to raise the drug use in an effort to muddy Floyd's character and that the theory would be contradicted by medical evidence. Nelson seemed to acknowledge the sensitivity when he stood up to cross-examine Ross: "I'm sorry to hear about your struggles with opioid addiction," he began. "Thank you for sharing that with the jury." When asked by prosecutors in the fourth day of witness testimony how she first met Floyd, Ross said she first met Floyd in August 2017 at a Salvation Army homeless shelter, where he worked as a security guard. She was waiting in the lobby to visit the father of her son after closing up the coffee shop where she worked. Floyd approached her. "Floyd has this great, deep, southern voice, raspy," she said, "and he was, like, 'Sis'? You OK, sis'?'" He sensed she felt sad and alone and offered to pray with her. Also read | Witnesses to George Floyd's deadly arrest tell jury of their shock, horror "It was so sweet," Ross said, dabbing a tissue to her eyes. "At the time I had lost a lot of faith in God." They had their first kiss in the lobby that night and except an occasional break were together until his death, she said. In his cellphone, Floyd listed Ross, a mother of two, as 'Mama.' They took walks in the parks and around the lakes of Ross's native Minneapolis, which was still new to the Texas-raised Floyd, and dined out often: "He was a big man," she said, describing his daily weightlifting, "and it look a lot of energy to keep him going." She said he adored his two young daughters and was a "mama's boy." After his mother's death in 2018 he seemed "kind of like a shell of himself, like he was broken." At times the couple took prescribed painkillers. At other times they bought OxyContin and other pills on the black market. Sometimes they beat the habit; sometimes they relapsed. "Addiction, in my opinion, is a lifelong struggle," she said. "It's not something that comes and goes, it's something I'll deal with forever." Ross said her last conversation with Floyd was on May 24, when they spoke on the telephone. A day later, Floyd was pinned under Chauvin's knee, under arrest on suspicion of buying cigarettes at a food store with a counterfeit $20 bill. The jury has heard three days' of testimony by onlookers who said they screamed at Chauvin and other officers, imploring them to check Floyd's pulse. On Thursday, paramedics who arrived at the scene testified that they had to move police off Floyd, who by then had stopped breathing, had no pulse and whose pupils were dilated. (with inputs from agencies)

George Floyd's girlfriend testifies at Chauvin murder trial

George Floyd’s girlfriend told the Derek Chauvin murder trial that the couple shared addiction to opioid painkillers that they struggled to overcome in the weeks before his death.

George Floyd Murder Trial Day 3: Floyd’s girlfriend details their opioid addiction

Day 3 of George Floyd's murder trial was marked by the emotional testimonies of eyewitnesses. The onlookers claimed that they grew increasingly angry as they beg Minneapolis officer Derek Chauvin to take his knees off George Floyd's neck however he refused to listen.

Day 3 of Derek Chauvin Trial:  Prosecutors detail sequence of events

During the third day at the trial of the former officer Derek Chauvin, new footage from inside a convenience store in Minneapolis was played and that's why George Floyd was taken into custody by the police.

George Floyd Murder Trial Day 3: New footage from inside a convenience store played

Day 2 of George Floyd'S murder trial was marked by the emotional testimonies of eyewitnesses. The onlookers claimed that they grew increasingly angry as they beg Minneapolis officer Derek Chauvin to take his knees off George Floyd's neck however he refused to listen.

Store employee testifies in Derek Chauvin trial

George Floyd Murder Trial Day 2: Emotionally jarring testimony by underage eyewitness

Judge admonishes witness in Derek Chauvin trial

Floyd, a Black man, died in police custody on May 25, 2020, after Chauvin, who is white, pinned his knee against Floyd’s neck for more than nine minutes

George Floyd trial witness Donald Williams tears up

A mixed martial arts fighter dabbed tears from his eyes as he described calling 911 after witnessing the deadly arrest of&nbsp;George&nbsp;Floyd in Minneapolis last May, the third witness called in the murder trial of former police officer Derek Chauvin.

Prosecutors from the Minnesota attorney general's office have begun their case by calling several people who witnessed the arrest on May 25, 2020: a Minneapolis 911 dispatcher who became alarmed by live police surveillance video of the arrest and a young woman who worked at the gas station across the street who recorded the scene on her cellphone.

Also see|&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/opening-statements-begin-in-derek-chauvin-trial-for-george-floyds-death-374151" hreflang="en">Opening statements begin in Derek Chauvin trial for George Floyd's death</a>

During the witness testimony, prosecutors have played videos of the arrest to the jury taken from multiple angles, including the bystanders' video that shows Chauvin, who is white, pressing his knee into the neck of a dying Floyd, a 46-year-old Black man, for about nine minutes.

The footage, which prosecutors say show excessive force, horrified people around the world and led to one of the largest protest movements seen in the United States in decades. Many have held up Floyd's death as an example of the brutality they say is routinely doled out by US&nbsp;law enforcement in encounters with people of colour.

Lawyers for Chauvin, 45, said he followed his police training and is not guilty of the charges of second-degree murder, third-degree murder or second-degree manslaughter.

Donald Williams, eyewitness

Williams is a 33-year-old professional mixed martial arts fighter and father who can be heard on the videos of the arrest of Floyd screaming at Chauvin shortly after Floyd was accused of passing a fake $20 bill.

His is one of the loudest and deepest voices in the videos, and Hennepin County District Judge Peter Cahill, showing rising impatience, cut off some of Williams' longer answers when the defence objected that the witness was speculating on the medical cause of Floyd's death.

"I feel he was in very much danger, to see another man like me being controlled —," Williams, who is Black, said of Floyd before the judge interrupted him.

Williams, 33, calls Chauvin a "bum" in the video, accuses him of "enjoying" his restraining of Floyd. He told jurors he believed that Chauvin was using his knee in a "blood choke" on Floyd, a wrestling move to knock an opponent unconscious, and a "shimmy" move to tighten pressure on Floyd's neck. He told the jury he feared for Floyd's life.

"You can see his eyes slowly rolling back," Williams said. "You can see that he's trying to gasp for air."

Chauvin's lawyers have said that Chauvin was distracted from "the care" of Floyd by the angry bystanders. Prosecutors asked Williams whether he heard any bystanders threaten the police, and he said no.

A 911 call Williams made after the arrest was played to the jury. Williams dabbed his eyes with a white tissue as his distressed voice filled the room.

"I believe I witnessed a murder," Williams told the jury. "So I felt I needed to call the police on the police."

In a sometimes tense cross-examination, both Chauvin's lead lawyer, Eric Nelson, and Williams found themselves using their arms to demonstrate different kinds of chokeholds on themselves as Nelson sought to show the jury that Williams has not himself trained police in using force.

Nelson then read aloud some of the obscene insults Williams hurled at Chauvin in the video.

"You call him a 'tough guy'?" Nelson asked, demanding only a 'yes' or 'no' answer. "You call him a 'real man?'"

Williams looked over at Chauvin with a slight smile as each insult was readout.

"You call him a 'bum' at least 13 times?" Nelson continued.

"If that's what you count in the video," Williams replied with a slight smile, "then that's what you got: 13."

A mixed martial arts fighter dabbed tears from his eyes as he described calling 911 after witnessing the deadly arrest of George Floyd in Minneapolis last May, the third witness called in the murder trial of former police officer Derek Chauvin.

A mixed martial arts fighter dabbed tears from his eyes as he described calling 911 after witnessing the deadly arrest of George Floyd in Minneapolis last May, the third witness called in the murder trial of former police officer Derek Chauvin. Prosecutors from the Minnesota attorney general's office have begun their case by calling several people who witnessed the arrest on May 25, 2020: a Minneapolis 911 dispatcher who became alarmed by live police surveillance video of the arrest and a young woman who worked at the gas station across the street who recorded the scene on her cellphone. Also see| Opening statements begin in Derek Chauvin trial for George Floyd's death During the witness testimony, prosecutors have played videos of the arrest to the jury taken from multiple angles, including the bystanders' video that shows Chauvin, who is white, pressing his knee into the neck of a dying Floyd, a 46-year-old Black man, for about nine minutes. The footage, which prosecutors say show excessive force, horrified people around the world and led to one of the largest protest movements seen in the United States in decades. Many have held up Floyd's death as an example of the brutality they say is routinely doled out by US law enforcement in encounters with people of colour. Lawyers for Chauvin, 45, said he followed his police training and is not guilty of the charges of second-degree murder, third-degree murder or second-degree manslaughter. Donald Williams, eyewitness Williams is a 33-year-old professional mixed martial arts fighter and father who can be heard on the videos of the arrest of Floyd screaming at Chauvin shortly after Floyd was accused of passing a fake $20 bill. His is one of the loudest and deepest voices in the videos, and Hennepin County District Judge Peter Cahill, showing rising impatience, cut off some of Williams' longer answers when the defence objected that the witness was speculating on the medical cause of Floyd's death. "I feel he was in very much danger, to see another man like me being controlled —," Williams, who is Black, said of Floyd before the judge interrupted him. Williams, 33, calls Chauvin a "bum" in the video, accuses him of "enjoying" his restraining of Floyd. He told jurors he believed that Chauvin was using his knee in a "blood choke" on Floyd, a wrestling move to knock an opponent unconscious, and a "shimmy" move to tighten pressure on Floyd's neck. He told the jury he feared for Floyd's life. "You can see his eyes slowly rolling back," Williams said. "You can see that he's trying to gasp for air." Chauvin's lawyers have said that Chauvin was distracted from "the care" of Floyd by the angry bystanders. Prosecutors asked Williams whether he heard any bystanders threaten the police, and he said no. A 911 call Williams made after the arrest was played to the jury. Williams dabbed his eyes with a white tissue as his distressed voice filled the room. "I believe I witnessed a murder," Williams told the jury. "So I felt I needed to call the police on the police." In a sometimes tense cross-examination, both Chauvin's lead lawyer, Eric Nelson, and Williams found themselves using their arms to demonstrate different kinds of chokeholds on themselves as Nelson sought to show the jury that Williams has not himself trained police in using force. Nelson then read aloud some of the obscene insults Williams hurled at Chauvin in the video. "You call him a 'tough guy'?" Nelson asked, demanding only a 'yes' or 'no' answer. "You call him a 'real man?'" Williams looked over at Chauvin with a slight smile as each insult was readout. "You call him a 'bum' at least 13 times?" Nelson continued. "If that's what you count in the video," Williams replied with a slight smile, "then that's what you got: 13."

'I called the police on the police,' witness recalls at Floyd trial

A white intensive care nurse who said if she saw someone on the street who needed help, she would feel obligated to step in. A Black grandmother who said she had no personal experience with the police or the criminal justice system.

A white widow who rides a motorcycle in her spare time and said she believes that “all lives matter.” A Black man who works in banking and said he was eager to serve on the jury of “the most historic case of my lifetime.”

These are some of the jurors appointed to weigh the evidence in the case of Derek Chauvin, the white former police officer who is accused of murdering George Floyd, a Black man.

The jury is a demographic mix: three Black men, one Black woman and two women who identified themselves as multiracial. There are two white men and four white women. They are urban and suburban, ranging in age from their 20s to their 60s. The two alternates are white women.

The jurors bring to the table a range of views about Chauvin, Floyd, race and policing, some forged by long life experience and some formed after the video of Floyd dying under Chauvin’s knee launched a new civil rights movement.

And yet they remain invisible, unseen by all but the very few people allowed into the courtroom. Because of the many threats against people involved in the case and the potential for outside pressure, the 12 jury members and two alternates remain anonymous and their faces cannot be shown on camera.

During opening arguments Monday, many of the jurors took notes, according to representatives of the news media who were allowed in the courtroom. During one replay of the video, a juror held her forehead, rubbing her face and eyes. All of the jury members are wearing face coverings because of coronavirus protocols, so parsing their reactions is even more difficult.

Most of what is known about the jurors comes from the jury selection process, more than two weeks of questioning that touched on virtually every contentious issue in American life, including COVID restrictions, Black Lives Matter, defunding the police, conspiracy theories and opioid addiction. The rest was provided by the court: a list of their approximate ages and races.

More than 300 potential jurors filled out a 14-page questionnaire that asked about their views on policing, protests, race and criminal justice, among other questions, and their answers showed the hurdles the defense must overcome in a case about which so much is widely known. Lawyers for the defense and the prosecution then questioned potential jurors one on one.

At least 10 of the 15 jurors and alternates chosen indicated that they had already formed a “somewhat negative” opinion of Chauvin. (The third alternate was dismissed Monday.) But their views were nuanced — several said they had positive views of the police but also believed that the criminal justice system is biased against Black people.

Juror No. 92, a white woman in her 40s, wrote on a questionnaire that she had a “very favorable” opinion of Blue Lives Matter.

“I would be terrified if our police departments were dismantled,” she wrote, according to what the defense lawyer read aloud during jury selection. “However, it is obvious that change needs to happen.”

Many of the jurors expressed dismay over what had happened to Floyd or questioned the actions of the four officers involved, three of whom will face charges in a separate trial. Juror No. 27, a Black man in his 30s, wrote that Floyd “could have been me or anyone else,” according to the answers that the defense read back to him during questioning. No. 52, also a Black man in his 30s, wrote, “My opinion has been, why didn’t the other officers stop Chauvin?”

Juror No. 89, the nurse, said that since Floyd had died she would have to conclude that police had knelt on him for “too long.” No. 44, a white executive at a health care nonprofit, said, “I do not know the laws and procedures of the police for detainment, but a man died and I’m sure that’s not procedure.”

The jurors said they could set their opinions and knowledge aside and consider only the evidence presented.

Throughout the questioning, both the defense and the prosecution probed jurors on their views about protests, riots, Black Lives Matter and Blue Lives Matter. They also undoubtedly considered the juror’s race, which has long been considered a clue to how someone might view a case.

Typically, the defense in a case like this would be more likely to strike jurors of color because they are considered more skeptical of law enforcement. But in this case, many white prospective jurors were critical of the police.

“I think what the defense has found is that, you know, race isn’t as useful a proxy — especially whiteness in this case isn’t as useful a proxy as it is in some other cases in which police officers are accused,” said Paul Butler, a former prosecutor and professor at Georgetown Law.

Some jurors spoke revealingly about how they had grappled with the turmoil of the past year.

Juror No. 44, the health care executive, recounted a conversation she had with a Black colleague about white privilege.

“I admit it, I didn’t get it,” she said. “Like, why do we have to call racism a new term?”

The colleague explained that she had to teach her son to keep his hands on the wheel and not move if the police stopped him, for his own safety.

“That was not something I ever thought about teaching my son,” the juror said.

The defense lawyer, Eric Nelson, used many of his questions to suggest to jurors that they did not know the whole story — previewing his opening statement Monday, when he tried to steer the jury away from what they know from the video and focus on other evidence, such as police training policies and medical records of Floyd.

After one prospective juror who wrote that from what she had seen, the police “appeared to take little action despite the pleas of George and bystanders,” Nelson asked if the woman had investigated what happened before or after the video. She acknowledged that she had not.

The racial makeup of the jury was more diverse than many expected — in fact, the jury has a higher percentage of Black people than the city of Minneapolis, which is about 20% Black.

But strong views about racism and police brutality based on personal experience could be enough to get passed over.

A Black potential juror, No. 76, said he has always wondered why police officers are rarely held accountable for the deaths of Black people, and sitting on the jury would put him “in the room to know why.”

He said that after someone was arrested or shot, officers would drive through his former neighborhood playing the song, “Another One Bites the Dust.”

Many of the jurors said they had mixed feelings, including anxiety and trepidation, when they received their jury summons and realized which case it was for. But then, they recognized that history had called.

“Everyone’s lives are changed by this incident and what happened,” Juror No. 44 said. “Everyone’s lives. And it’s not easy. For anyone.”

A white intensive care nurse who said if she saw someone on the street who needed help, she would feel obligated to step in. A Black grandmother who said she had no personal experience with the police or the criminal justice system.

A white intensive care nurse who said if she saw someone on the street who needed help, she would feel obligated to step in. A Black grandmother who said she had no personal experience with the police or the criminal justice system. A white widow who rides a motorcycle in her spare time and said she believes that “all lives matter.” A Black man who works in banking and said he was eager to serve on the jury of “the most historic case of my lifetime.” These are some of the jurors appointed to weigh the evidence in the case of Derek Chauvin, the white former police officer who is accused of murdering George Floyd, a Black man. The jury is a demographic mix: three Black men, one Black woman and two women who identified themselves as multiracial. There are two white men and four white women. They are urban and suburban, ranging in age from their 20s to their 60s. The two alternates are white women. The jurors bring to the table a range of views about Chauvin, Floyd, race and policing, some forged by long life experience and some formed after the video of Floyd dying under Chauvin’s knee launched a new civil rights movement. And yet they remain invisible, unseen by all but the very few people allowed into the courtroom. Because of the many threats against people involved in the case and the potential for outside pressure, the 12 jury members and two alternates remain anonymous and their faces cannot be shown on camera. During opening arguments Monday, many of the jurors took notes, according to representatives of the news media who were allowed in the courtroom. During one replay of the video, a juror held her forehead, rubbing her face and eyes. All of the jury members are wearing face coverings because of coronavirus protocols, so parsing their reactions is even more difficult. Most of what is known about the jurors comes from the jury selection process, more than two weeks of questioning that touched on virtually every contentious issue in American life, including COVID restrictions, Black Lives Matter, defunding the police, conspiracy theories and opioid addiction. The rest was provided by the court: a list of their approximate ages and races. More than 300 potential jurors filled out a 14-page questionnaire that asked about their views on policing, protests, race and criminal justice, among other questions, and their answers showed the hurdles the defense must overcome in a case about which so much is widely known. Lawyers for the defense and the prosecution then questioned potential jurors one on one. At least 10 of the 15 jurors and alternates chosen indicated that they had already formed a “somewhat negative” opinion of Chauvin. (The third alternate was dismissed Monday.) But their views were nuanced — several said they had positive views of the police but also believed that the criminal justice system is biased against Black people. Juror No. 92, a white woman in her 40s, wrote on a questionnaire that she had a “very favorable” opinion of Blue Lives Matter. “I would be terrified if our police departments were dismantled,” she wrote, according to what the defense lawyer read aloud during jury selection. “However, it is obvious that change needs to happen.” Many of the jurors expressed dismay over what had happened to Floyd or questioned the actions of the four officers involved, three of whom will face charges in a separate trial. Juror No. 27, a Black man in his 30s, wrote that Floyd “could have been me or anyone else,” according to the answers that the defense read back to him during questioning. No. 52, also a Black man in his 30s, wrote, “My opinion has been, why didn’t the other officers stop Chauvin?” Juror No. 89, the nurse, said that since Floyd had died she would have to conclude that police had knelt on him for “too long.” No. 44, a white executive at a health care nonprofit, said, “I do not know the laws and procedures of the police for detainment, but a man died and I’m sure that’s not procedure.” The jurors said they could set their opinions and knowledge aside and consider only the evidence presented. Throughout the questioning, both the defense and the prosecution probed jurors on their views about protests, riots, Black Lives Matter and Blue Lives Matter. They also undoubtedly considered the juror’s race, which has long been considered a clue to how someone might view a case. Typically, the defense in a case like this would be more likely to strike jurors of color because they are considered more skeptical of law enforcement. But in this case, many white prospective jurors were critical of the police. “I think what the defense has found is that, you know, race isn’t as useful a proxy — especially whiteness in this case isn’t as useful a proxy as it is in some other cases in which police officers are accused,” said Paul Butler, a former prosecutor and professor at Georgetown Law. Some jurors spoke revealingly about how they had grappled with the turmoil of the past year. Juror No. 44, the health care executive, recounted a conversation she had with a Black colleague about white privilege. “I admit it, I didn’t get it,” she said. “Like, why do we have to call racism a new term?” The colleague explained that she had to teach her son to keep his hands on the wheel and not move if the police stopped him, for his own safety. “That was not something I ever thought about teaching my son,” the juror said. The defense lawyer, Eric Nelson, used many of his questions to suggest to jurors that they did not know the whole story — previewing his opening statement Monday, when he tried to steer the jury away from what they know from the video and focus on other evidence, such as police training policies and medical records of Floyd. After one prospective juror who wrote that from what she had seen, the police “appeared to take little action despite the pleas of George and bystanders,” Nelson asked if the woman had investigated what happened before or after the video. She acknowledged that she had not. The racial makeup of the jury was more diverse than many expected — in fact, the jury has a higher percentage of Black people than the city of Minneapolis, which is about 20% Black. But strong views about racism and police brutality based on personal experience could be enough to get passed over. A Black potential juror, No. 76, said he has always wondered why police officers are rarely held accountable for the deaths of Black people, and sitting on the jury would put him “in the room to know why.” He said that after someone was arrested or shot, officers would drive through his former neighborhood playing the song, “Another One Bites the Dust.” Many of the jurors said they had mixed feelings, including anxiety and trepidation, when they received their jury summons and realized which case it was for. But then, they recognized that history had called. “Everyone’s lives are changed by this incident and what happened,” Juror No. 44 said. “Everyone’s lives. And it’s not easy. For anyone.”

Who are the jurors in the Chauvin trial?

Earlier this week, Chauvin's defense attorney, Eric Nelson, tried to limit what Williams could testify about in court.

Derek Chauvin trial: 'I believed I witnessed a murder', says eyewitness Donald Williams

The first day in the murder trial of former Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin, who is accused of killing George Floyd, featured an intense series of opening arguments, numerous photographs, videos of the killing, and testimony from three witnesses.

George Floyd Murder Trial: Prosecutor says Chauvin betrayed his oath

A panel of 12 jurors and two alternates was formally seated Monday before the start of opening arguments in Chauvin’s trial.

Opening arguments delivered in trial of Derek Chauvin

A jury will gather on Monday to hear whether the deadly arrest of George Floyd, which ignited a global protest movement 10 months ago, amounts to murder as opening arguments commence in the trial of former Minneapolis policeman Derek Chauvin.&nbsp;

Over two weeks of jury selection, many jurors told Hennepin County District Judge Peter Cahill and the lawyers on each side that they recognised the scrutiny their deliberations would come under, not least by those&nbsp;who view the trial as a reckoning for how Black people are policed in the United States.&nbsp;

"It's been a long time coming," a gospel choir sang on Sunday evening at a prayer service attended by Floyd's relatives. "But I know a change is gonna come."&nbsp;

The service was held in a church a few blocks east of where Chauvin, who was white, was caught on a bystander's video, with his knee on the neck of Floyd, a 46-year-old Black man.&nbsp;

Philonise Floyd, a brother of George Floyd, said before the service began that he had faith that prosecutors from the Minnesota attorney general's office would see Chauvin convicted.&nbsp;

"The video is the proof," he said.&nbsp;

Chauvin, 45, has pleaded not guilty to second-degree murder, third-degree murder and second-degree manslaughter, with his lawyers arguing that he followed his training and that the main cause of Floyd's death, which the county examiner ruled a homicide, was a drug overdose. He faces up to 40 years in prison if convicted on the most serious charge.&nbsp;

Jurors will head to a courtroom in a tower in downtown Minneapolis ringed with concrete barriers, barbed wire and soldiers from the state's National Guard. For blocks around, businesses are closed and windows boarded up, fearing a repeat of the arson and other property damage that occurred after Floyd's death.&nbsp;

Less than three miles away, residents maintain a vigil at the intersection where Chauvin kept his knee on a handcuffed Floyd's neck for about nine minutes as Floyd uses his final breaths to plead for his life. Chauvin and three other officers were arresting Floyd on suspicion of passing a fake $20 bill at the Cup Foods grocery store nearby.&nbsp;

Four sets of barricades block police from coming to the intersection, now called George Floyd Square, which is filled with flowers, posters, murals and other tributes to Floyd.&nbsp;

The jury, including three alternates, is made up of six white women, three white men, three Black men, one Black woman and two multiracial women, according to court records.&nbsp;

"I'm thankful that it is a diverse jury," Paris Stevens, a cousin of Floyd, who works as a nurse in North Carolina, said in a telephone interview. "I'm very anxious because you don't know what's going to happen, but I'm just glad that this process is starting."&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)&nbsp;

A jury will gather on Monday to hear whether the deadly arrest of George Floyd, which ignited a global protest movement 10 months ago, amounts to murder as opening arguments commence in the trial of former Minneapolis policeman Derek Chauvin.

A jury will gather on Monday to hear whether the deadly arrest of George Floyd, which ignited a global protest movement 10 months ago, amounts to murder as opening arguments commence in the trial of former Minneapolis policeman Derek Chauvin. Over two weeks of jury selection, many jurors told Hennepin County District Judge Peter Cahill and the lawyers on each side that they recognised the scrutiny their deliberations would come under, not least by those who view the trial as a reckoning for how Black people are policed in the United States. "It's been a long time coming," a gospel choir sang on Sunday evening at a prayer service attended by Floyd's relatives. "But I know a change is gonna come." The service was held in a church a few blocks east of where Chauvin, who was white, was caught on a bystander's video, with his knee on the neck of Floyd, a 46-year-old Black man. Philonise Floyd, a brother of George Floyd, said before the service began that he had faith that prosecutors from the Minnesota attorney general's office would see Chauvin convicted. "The video is the proof," he said. Chauvin, 45, has pleaded not guilty to second-degree murder, third-degree murder and second-degree manslaughter, with his lawyers arguing that he followed his training and that the main cause of Floyd's death, which the county examiner ruled a homicide, was a drug overdose. He faces up to 40 years in prison if convicted on the most serious charge. Jurors will head to a courtroom in a tower in downtown Minneapolis ringed with concrete barriers, barbed wire and soldiers from the state's National Guard. For blocks around, businesses are closed and windows boarded up, fearing a repeat of the arson and other property damage that occurred after Floyd's death. Less than three miles away, residents maintain a vigil at the intersection where Chauvin kept his knee on a handcuffed Floyd's neck for about nine minutes as Floyd uses his final breaths to plead for his life. Chauvin and three other officers were arresting Floyd on suspicion of passing a fake $20 bill at the Cup Foods grocery store nearby. Four sets of barricades block police from coming to the intersection, now called George Floyd Square, which is filled with flowers, posters, murals and other tributes to Floyd. The jury, including three alternates, is made up of six white women, three white men, three Black men, one Black woman and two multiracial women, according to court records. "I'm thankful that it is a diverse jury," Paris Stevens, a cousin of Floyd, who works as a nurse in North Carolina, said in a telephone interview. "I'm very anxious because you don't know what's going to happen, but I'm just glad that this process is starting." (With inputs from agencies)

George Floyd's death: Jury to hear opening arguments in Derek Chauvin trial  

Derek Chauvin, a former Minneapolis Police officer will now face the murder charge in the death of George Floyd after a Hennepin County judge restored a third-degree murder charge against him.

George Floyd Death: Judge allows third-degree murder charge against Derek

The publicity surrounding the murder trial of&nbsp;George&nbsp;Floyd, an African-American man whose death laid bare racial wounds in the United States and sparked "Black Lives Matter" protests across the globe, is making jury selection a difficult task.

Millions of people have watched the video of&nbsp;George&nbsp;Floyd's death. A dozen will decide the fate of the white policeman seen kneeling for nearly nine minutes on the neck of the 46-year-old Black man.

Judge Peter Cahill of the Hennepin County District Court has set aside three weeks to screen jurors.&nbsp;

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/first-jurors-selected-for-george-floyd-murder-trial-369547">First jurors selected for George Floyd murder trial</a>

Former Minneapolis Police Department officer Derek Chauvin is facing charges of second-degree murder and manslaughter in connection with&nbsp;Floyd's May 25 death, which was captured by bystanders on smartphone video.

He has pleaded not guilty to second-degree murder and manslaughter and stood politely each time his lawyer introduced him to potential jurors in court.

The viral video of&nbsp;Floyd's&nbsp;death sparked a summer of protests against police brutality and racial injustice in the United States and around the world.

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/sister-of-george-floyd-makes-emotional-plea-for-justice-as-trial-gets-set-to-begin-369193/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

Citing pre-trial publicity, defence lawyers for Chauvin sought to have the trial moved out of Minneapolis, the Minnesota city where&nbsp;Floyd&nbsp;died, but the motion was denied.

&nbsp;'Juror rejection'

Only one of the prospective jurors so far, a white man in his 20s or 30s, has said they have not seen the video of&nbsp;Floyd's death.

The man, who said he has seen only a still image from the video, was the first person selected for the jury, which will comprise 12 jurors and two alternates.

Each potential juror filled out a 16-page questionnaire before being called in for jury selection.

Among the questions asked were whether they have seen the video of&nbsp;Floyd's death, whether they took part in protests against racial injustice and whether they've had any interactions with police.

They were also asked how they view the "Black Lives Matter" movement and whether they have a favourable or unfavourable view of Chauvin, the accused.

Chauvin's attorney and prosecutors have probed the prospective jurors further during the process called voir dire about their beliefs and knowledge about the case.

"Believe it or not, you're not the only person in the world that may have a negative view of my client," Eric Nelson, Chauvin's lead attorney, said with a smile as he questioned a potential juror who said that he, his wife, his son and daughter had all advocated for police reform.

That man was sent home after Nelson used the fourth of his 15 peremptory challenges, which enable a potential juror to be dismissed without cause.

The prosecutors from the state attorney general's office have used two of their nine challenges, including one against a civil litigation attorney who told prosecutors she thought that law enforcement officers have a "thankless job."

'Black Lives Matter'

Three jurors were seated on Tuesday after saying they could put aside their misgivings about Chauvin: A white man who is a chemist at an environmental testing lab; a woman who appeared to be of mixed race who said she was "super excited" to serve on a jury; and a white man who works as an auditor.

The judge has promised all jurors anonymity for the duration of the trial.

On Wednesday, a sales manager who appeared to be white and said he thought police tended to be more trustworthy witnesses than civilians became the fourth juror to be seated. He also said that he had "strongly favourable" views of the Black Lives Matter movement.

"In my college years, I took a couple of great courses following the Civil Rights movement, and they really just led me on the path of racial injustice throughout our history," he told the court. He said he was an avid sports fan and supported the right of Black football players to protest police brutality by kneeling during the national anthem before games.

Later, a Black man who said he immigrated to the United States 14 years ago to study in Nebraska and now worked in information technology told the court he believed that "all lives matter," but that Black lives matter more because he thought Black people had been marginalized.

He also said he disagreed with calls by some activists to "defund the police," saying that if police are expected to keep communities safe then "they have to have the right to have the funds."

He became the fifth of the 12 jurors and up to four alternates the judge is seeking to seat.

On Friday, the Minnesota Court of Appeals ordered the judge overseeing the trial to reconsider the prosecution's request that Chauvin face an additional charge of third-degree murder.

Chauvin's lawyers asked the Minnesota Supreme Court to review that order, but the court said on Wednesday it would not intervene. Judge Cahill said he would discuss the charge with the attorneys on Thursday before resuming jury selection.

Chauvin's lawyers say he stuck to his police training and did not use excessive force when he was arresting&nbsp;Floyd&nbsp;on May 25 on suspicion of using a counterfeit $20 bill to buy cigarettes.

Chauvin, 44, was released from jail on a $1 million bond in October and is being tried in a courtroom in the Hennepin County Government Center, a tower in downtown Minneapolis now ringed with barbed-wire fencing and concrete barricades.

The publicity surrounding the murder trial of George Floyd, an African-American man whose death laid bare racial wounds in the United States and sparked "Black Lives Matter" protests across the globe, is making jury selection a difficult task.

The publicity surrounding the murder trial of George Floyd, an African-American man whose death laid bare racial wounds in the United States and sparked "Black Lives Matter" protests across the globe, is making jury selection a difficult task. Millions of people have watched the video of George Floyd's death. A dozen will decide the fate of the white policeman seen kneeling for nearly nine minutes on the neck of the 46-year-old Black man. Judge Peter Cahill of the Hennepin County District Court has set aside three weeks to screen jurors. Also read: First jurors selected for George Floyd murder trial Former Minneapolis Police Department officer Derek Chauvin is facing charges of second-degree murder and manslaughter in connection with Floyd's May 25 death, which was captured by bystanders on smartphone video. He has pleaded not guilty to second-degree murder and manslaughter and stood politely each time his lawyer introduced him to potential jurors in court. The viral video of Floyd's death sparked a summer of protests against police brutality and racial injustice in the United States and around the world. Citing pre-trial publicity, defence lawyers for Chauvin sought to have the trial moved out of Minneapolis, the Minnesota city where Floyd died, but the motion was denied. 'Juror rejection' Only one of the prospective jurors so far, a white man in his 20s or 30s, has said they have not seen the video of Floyd's death. The man, who said he has seen only a still image from the video, was the first person selected for the jury, which will comprise 12 jurors and two alternates. Each potential juror filled out a 16-page questionnaire before being called in for jury selection. Among the questions asked were whether they have seen the video of Floyd's death, whether they took part in protests against racial injustice and whether they've had any interactions with police. They were also asked how they view the "Black Lives Matter" movement and whether they have a favourable or unfavourable view of Chauvin, the accused. Chauvin's attorney and prosecutors have probed the prospective jurors further during the process called voir dire about their beliefs and knowledge about the case. "Believe it or not, you're not the only person in the world that may have a negative view of my client," Eric Nelson, Chauvin's lead attorney, said with a smile as he questioned a potential juror who said that he, his wife, his son and daughter had all advocated for police reform. That man was sent home after Nelson used the fourth of his 15 peremptory challenges, which enable a potential juror to be dismissed without cause. The prosecutors from the state attorney general's office have used two of their nine challenges, including one against a civil litigation attorney who told prosecutors she thought that law enforcement officers have a "thankless job." 'Black Lives Matter' Three jurors were seated on Tuesday after saying they could put aside their misgivings about Chauvin: A white man who is a chemist at an environmental testing lab; a woman who appeared to be of mixed race who said she was "super excited" to serve on a jury; and a white man who works as an auditor. The judge has promised all jurors anonymity for the duration of the trial. On Wednesday, a sales manager who appeared to be white and said he thought police tended to be more trustworthy witnesses than civilians became the fourth juror to be seated. He also said that he had "strongly favourable" views of the Black Lives Matter movement. "In my college years, I took a couple of great courses following the Civil Rights movement, and they really just led me on the path of racial injustice throughout our history," he told the court. He said he was an avid sports fan and supported the right of Black football players to protest police brutality by kneeling during the national anthem before games. Later, a Black man who said he immigrated to the United States 14 years ago to study in Nebraska and now worked in information technology told the court he believed that "all lives matter," but that Black lives matter more because he thought Black people had been marginalized. He also said he disagreed with calls by some activists to "defund the police," saying that if police are expected to keep communities safe then "they have to have the right to have the funds." He became the fifth of the 12 jurors and up to four alternates the judge is seeking to seat. On Friday, the Minnesota Court of Appeals ordered the judge overseeing the trial to reconsider the prosecution's request that Chauvin face an additional charge of third-degree murder. Chauvin's lawyers asked the Minnesota Supreme Court to review that order, but the court said on Wednesday it would not intervene. Judge Cahill said he would discuss the charge with the attorneys on Thursday before resuming jury selection. Chauvin's lawyers say he stuck to his police training and did not use excessive force when he was arresting Floyd on May 25 on suspicion of using a counterfeit $20 bill to buy cigarettes. Chauvin, 44, was released from jail on a $1 million bond in October and is being tried in a courtroom in the Hennepin County Government Center, a tower in downtown Minneapolis now ringed with barbed-wire fencing and concrete barricades.

George Floyd murder trial: Publicity surrounding case a challenge for jury selection

The jury selection is underway in the murder trial of Derek Chauvin, a former Minneapolis police officer charged over George Floyd’s death last year. The African American's May 2020 killing drew outrage and a worldwide reckoning on police reform and racial justice. Watch the video for the story so far.

Jury selection underway for George Floyd Murder trial: The story so far

The trial of a former Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin, who has been charged with second-degree murder and manslaughter in George Floyd’s death is set to begin today. WION brings all you need to know before the trial.

George Floyd's murder trial to begin with the selection of jury

In connection with the death of George Floyd in Minneapolis, Derek Chauvin has been released from jail after posting a $1 million bond.

Ex-Minneapolis cop released on bail: Charged with death of George Floyd

The murder of George Floyd in the United States has triggered protests not only in the country, but across the world. Protesters are demanding justice for Floyd while calling for an end to systemic racism which targets black people across the globe.

Derek Chauvin, the 44-year-old police officer who knelt on Floyd was charged with second and third-degree murder,could receive more than $1 million in pension benefits during his retirement years even if he is convicted.

Chauvin still stands to benefit from a pension partially funded by taxpayers. While a number of state laws allow for the forfeiture of pensions for those employees convicted of felony crimes related to their work, this is not the case in Minnesota.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/bail-raised-to-125-million-for-officer-charged-with-murdering-george-floyd-304432">Bail raised to $1.25 million for officer charged with murdering George Floyd</a>

The Minnesota Public Employees Retirement Association confirmed that&nbsp;Chauvin would remain eligible to file for his pension as early as age 50, though it would not provide details on the specific amount he would receive. Chauvin's attorney declined to comment.

Retirement plan officials said that employees terminated voluntarily or for cause are eligible for future benefits unless they choose to forfeit their future benefit and receive a refund of all their contributions made during their employment.

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/derek-chauvin-makes-first-court-appearance-in-george-floyd-case-304433/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

"Neither our Board nor our staff have the discretion to increase, decrease, deny or revoke benefits," a spokeswoman said. "Any changes to current law would need to be done through the legislative process."

While a number of factors are used to calculate pension benefits, Chauvin would likely be eligible for annual payments in the ballpark of $50,000 a year or more if he chose to start receiving them at age 55&nbsp;based on Chauvin's tenure, 2019 payroll data, contract details, pension plan guidance and Minneapolis Police Department salary schedules.

The benefits could stretch to $1.5 million or more over a 30-year period, not including any cost of living increases. Chauvin's annual payments could be even higher if he received significant amounts of overtime in prior years.

Two of the other officers charged in the death of Floyd were rookies, but a third also appears eligible to receive pension benefits from his time with the department, according to employment records released by the city.

Amid growing calls across the country to defund police departments and better distribute the money to social services, such as youth and community development and mental health treatment, pensions will likely prove to be a flashpoint in the ongoing debate.

The murder of George Floyd in the United States has triggered protests not only in the country, but across the world. Protesters are demanding justice for Floyd while calling for an end to systemic racism which targets black people across the globe.

The murder of George Floyd in the United States has triggered protests not only in the country, but across the world. Protesters are demanding justice for Floyd while calling for an end to systemic racism which targets black people across the globe. Derek Chauvin, the 44-year-old police officer who knelt on Floyd was charged with second and third-degree murder,could receive more than $1 million in pension benefits during his retirement years even if he is convicted. Chauvin still stands to benefit from a pension partially funded by taxpayers. While a number of state laws allow for the forfeiture of pensions for those employees convicted of felony crimes related to their work, this is not the case in Minnesota. Also read: Bail raised to $1.25 million for officer charged with murdering George Floyd The Minnesota Public Employees Retirement Association confirmed that Chauvin would remain eligible to file for his pension as early as age 50, though it would not provide details on the specific amount he would receive. Chauvin's attorney declined to comment. Retirement plan officials said that employees terminated voluntarily or for cause are eligible for future benefits unless they choose to forfeit their future benefit and receive a refund of all their contributions made during their employment. "Neither our Board nor our staff have the discretion to increase, decrease, deny or revoke benefits," a spokeswoman said. "Any changes to current law would need to be done through the legislative process." While a number of factors are used to calculate pension benefits, Chauvin would likely be eligible for annual payments in the ballpark of $50,000 a year or more if he chose to start receiving them at age 55 based on Chauvin's tenure, 2019 payroll data, contract details, pension plan guidance and Minneapolis Police Department salary schedules. The benefits could stretch to $1.5 million or more over a 30-year period, not including any cost of living increases. Chauvin's annual payments could be even higher if he received significant amounts of overtime in prior years. Two of the other officers charged in the death of Floyd were rookies, but a third also appears eligible to receive pension benefits from his time with the department, according to employment records released by the city. Amid growing calls across the country to defund police departments and better distribute the money to social services, such as youth and community development and mental health treatment, pensions will likely prove to be a flashpoint in the ongoing debate.

Officer charged with murder of Floyd still eligible for $1 million pension

Thousands gathered outside Houston's Fountain of Praise Church to pay respects to George Floyd.

Thousands pay tribute to George Floyd in Houston

The Minneapolis Ex-police officer charged with second-degree murder in George Floyd’s death made his first court appearance Monday.

Derek Chauvin makes first court appearance in George Floyd Case

Derek Chauvin, the policeman charged with the murder of George <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/white-residents-in-north-carolina-wash-black-preists-feet-during-prayers-for-george-floyd-304362">Floyd</a>,46, was set a $1 million bail by a Minneapolis judge.

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Chauvin was seen in a video kneeling on African-American George Floyd's neck which led to his death sparking&nbsp;protests across America including large scale demonstrations against racism worldwide.

Chauvin, 44 appeared in court on Monday amid anger and demonstrations in the US despite the coronavirus pandemic which has swept the nation.

State prosecutor Matthew Frank had asked for a high bail due to Chauvin's "flight risk". Three other Minneapolis officers who were with Chauvin during the incident were also arrested and have been charged with aiding and abetting the murder.

As the outrage grew over the death of George Floyd, Minneapolis city council on Monday decided to disband the police force, however, US President backed the police department asserting, "There won't be defunding, there won't be dismantling of our police and there is not going to be any disbanding of our police."

"We want to make sure we don't have any bad actors in there, and sometimes, you'll see some horrible things like we witnessed recently, but 99 -- I say 99.9, but let's go with 99 per cent of them are great, great people, and they've done jobs that are record setting -- record setting," Trump said.

"There's a reason for less crime, it's because we have great law enforcement. I'm very proud of them," the US President added.

Derek Chauvin, the policeman charged with the murder of George Floyd,46, was set a $1 million bail by a Minneapolis judge. Watch Video: Chauvin was seen in a video kneeling on African-American George Floyd's neck which led to his death sparking protests across America including large scale demonstrations against racism worldwide.

Derek Chauvin, the policeman charged with the murder of George Floyd,46, was set a $1 million bail by a Minneapolis judge. Watch Video: Chauvin was seen in a video kneeling on African-American George Floyd's neck which led to his death sparking protests across America including large scale demonstrations against racism worldwide. Chauvin, 44 appeared in court on Monday amid anger and demonstrations in the US despite the coronavirus pandemic which has swept the nation. State prosecutor Matthew Frank had asked for a high bail due to Chauvin's "flight risk". Three other Minneapolis officers who were with Chauvin during the incident were also arrested and have been charged with aiding and abetting the murder. As the outrage grew over the death of George Floyd, Minneapolis city council on Monday decided to disband the police force, however, US President backed the police department asserting, "There won't be defunding, there won't be dismantling of our police and there is not going to be any disbanding of our police." "We want to make sure we don't have any bad actors in there, and sometimes, you'll see some horrible things like we witnessed recently, but 99 -- I say 99.9, but let's go with 99 per cent of them are great, great people, and they've done jobs that are record setting -- record setting," Trump said. "There's a reason for less crime, it's because we have great law enforcement. I'm very proud of them," the US President added.

Judge sets $1 million bail for Minneapolis cop; no dismantling of police, says Trump

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