Well, there is some objective evidence to show that not much pressure was being applied: Floyd continued to talk, and remained conscious for quite a while. If significant pressure had been applied to the carotid, he would have passed out in 15-30 seconds max.
This is not going to be a slam-dunk to prosecute.
I agree.
But he did pass out and just because he didn’t pass out immediately when the knee was put on his neck doesn’t mean the officer didn’t accidentally or intentionally increase the pressure in the 30 seconds before he became “non-responsive”.
What we do know is that the officer kept his knee on the man’s neck for another 2 minutes and 58 seconds after that.
“Occlusion of or injury to one carotid artery may cause neurological deficits on the contralateral side. These include changes in vision, ptosis, facial droop, and unilateral weakness. If strangulation results in hypoxia, patients may have mental status changes and incontinence.”
https://www.acepnow.com/article/how-to-evaluate-strangulation/?singlepage=1
Mental status changes and incontinence... calling for his mother and lost bladder control.
But he did pass out and just because he didn’t pass out immediately when the knee was put on his neck doesn’t mean the officer didn’t accidentally or intentionally increase the pressure in the 30 seconds before he became “non-responsive”.
What we do know is that the officer kept his knee on the man’s neck for another 2 minutes and 58 seconds after that.
“Occlusion of or injury to one carotid artery may cause neurological deficits on the contralateral side. These include changes in vision, ptosis, facial droop, and unilateral weakness. If strangulation results in hypoxia, patients may have mental status changes and incontinence.”
https://www.acepnow.com/article/how-to-evaluate-strangulation/?singlepage=1
Mental status changes and incontinence... calling for his mother and lost bladder control.