Opening statements begin in Minneapolis at 10 o’clock this morning in the case against Derek Chauvin, a former Minneapolis police officer charged in the death of George Floyd.
On May 25, 2020, Floyd died in police custody after Chauvin and three other MPD officers were called to a deli where he was being accused of using a fake $20 bill.
Viral video showed Chauvin kneeling on Floyd’s neck for more than eight minutes as Floyd repeatedly told the officer he couldn’t breathe and he died later that evening in hospital.
Floyd’s death sparked a global outcry over police brutality and racial injustice.
Chauvin is facing charges of 2nd-degree murder, 2nd-degree manslaughter and 3rd-degree murder.
The trial is expected to last between two and four weeks.
Three other former officers charged in connection with Floyd’s death are scheduled to go to trial in August.