Assault or 'reasonable' policing? Takeaways from Derek Chauvin trial's closing arguments as jury begins deliberations
Tami Abdollah, USA TODAY
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MINNEAPOLIS – Attorneys made their closing statements in the murder trial of former police officer Derek Chauvin on Monday, leaving jurors to make sense of two entirely different arguments to determine whether Chauvin is guilty of murder or manslaughter in George Floyd's death last May.
Throughout the trial, prosecutors argued that Chauvin's knee – pressed against 46-year-old Floyd's neck while he was handcuffed and face-down on the street – led to his death by loss of oxygen. The defense argued underlying heart issues and the methamphetamine and fentanyl in his system caused Floyd's death while he struggled with police.