Chauvin Defense Lawyer Blames George Floyd’s Death on Bystanders: They Caused Officers to ‘Divert Their Attention’

mediate ^ | March 29, 2021

[Humane1]

Chauvin Defense Lawyer Blames George Floyd’s Death on Bystanders: They Caused Officers to ‘Divert Their Attention’ MARISA SARNOFF MAR 29, 2021 1:35 PM

Eric Nelson, the defense attorney for Derek Chauvin, blamed bystanders for distracting officers from properly caring for George Floyd as Chauvin pinned Floyd to the ground and knelt on his neck, as Chauvin’s trial got underway Monday.

In his opening statement, Nelson implied that bystanders, who were pleading for Chauvin to remove his knee from Floyd’s neck as Floyd himself said he couldn’t breathe, were at least in part to blame for Floyd’s death.

“As the crowd grew in size, seemingly so too did their anger,” Nelson said. “Remember, there is more to the scene than just what the officers see in front of them. There are people behind them and across the street. There are cars stopping, people yelling. There are — there is a growing crowd and what officers perceived to be a threat. They are called names.”

“They’re screaming at them,” Nelson continued. “Causing the officers to divert their attention from the care of Mr. Floyd to the threat that was growing in front of them.”

Chauvin is facing murder and manslaughter charges in the death of Floyd. Bystander video captured Chauvin kneeling on Floyd’s neck for several minutes in late May of 2020. Floyd’s death in police custody set off protests and demonstrations worldwide.

[Humane1]

in my humble opinion, the defense erred:

1. Did not humanize Chauvin.

2. Did not show immediately the alleged shaking car from fighting with George

[SteveH]

weak sounding defense?

[Marinario]

Quite

[P-Marlowe]

How much is the Floyd family paying this guy to defend Chauvin?

[Charles Martel]

The main reason for the police department’s policy allowing the knee hold is the threat to arresting officers from bystanders. It enables the cop to keep one or both hands free in case of further confrontation. Usually that relates more to multiple suspects, automobile passengers/accomplices, etc., than shit-stirring onlookers - but it still applies. The defense attorneys need to make this point more clearly.

[montag813]

Dumb way to start the defense

[Marinario]

All experst on court TV criticized the weak defense.

[sport]

A not guilty verdict is not the goal. Or the plan. He[the Officer is to be found guilty is the plan.

[Bob434]

while it is true- the crowd was screaming and becoming more aggressive sounding, the defense should probably just stick to the fact that george was overdosed and a threat to everyone around them. Even after he passed out, he could still have come to and been a real threat if the officers weren’t restraining him properly- so the officers followed procedures until the ambulance got there- They did nothing wrong with a large man overdosing on drugs, and being violent- making it sound like ‘they got distracted’ sounds almost an admission of guilt, like they are trying to blame the bystanders for George’s death- GEORGE is responsible for his own death

I dunno- maybe they have a reason for wording it this way- but just doesn’t seem like a good idea

Agree with Charles Martel-

[shanover]

I would have shown the whole video(s) with narration of just the facts. It really is all moot because the cops are screwed,the jury is screwed, and the cities are screwed. They are already convicted and no matter what,the cities are turning to more ash and the jurists don’t want to be attacked and their homes burned down and life ruined.

[Viking2002]

Yeah, I was gonna say, that was a pretty watery reason to throw out there.

[Bob434]

I don’;t know what it is- why can’t conservatives, Christians, law enforcement etc ever seem to get good competent lawyers? We keep hearing how brilliant so and so is, but they never seem to be able to make the cases (at least we don’t hear much about them making cases), and they issue really weak sounding defenses like this fella did?

Even the lawyer for Trump during the second sham impeachment started off really really weak-

[mrsmith]

Agree.
But they did expand the situation in consideration. No expert here, but do know there are strict rules for introducing evidence.
Hope they do better.

[joshua c]

they are in a courtroom but the lynch mob is waiting outside if they do not come up with the right verdict

[GreyHoundSailor]

Given that this was what launched the blm ‘in your face’ movement nationwide you’re right. We’re in for another year of riots either way.

[Jonty30]

Both autopsy reports claim compression of the neck were factors.

It will be hard to beat two autopsy reports that are in agreement.

[mad_as_he$$]

Not for jury made up of fools.

[SteveH]

thanks for the clarification. much appreciated. so much info apparently does not make it into the MSM coverage.

[grumpygresh]

Stick with the lethal levels of fentanyl along with heroin.

It does seem that Floyd ingested the fentanyl shortly before death. The time line is important here. When was the blood sample taken, how long after he was arrested. Orally it would take about 30-60 minutes to peak I believe. I don’t know if Floyd was with anyone before arrested.

The heroin is usually snorted or injected and peaks much faster less than 10 minutes. Heroin is rapidly metabolized to monacetyl morphine within a couple of hours. After that it goes to straight morphine,

[SteveH]

> Both autopsy reports claim compression of the neck were factors.

> It will be hard to beat two autopsy reports that are in agreement.

Was or was not police policy followed?