Just walked the Hennepin Co Government Center perimeter. Doesn't appear to be any obvious beefed up security measures outside. A heads up, court calendar now showing an 8:45am motions hearing in #DerekChauvinTrail 
In terms of this morning's #DerekChauvinTrial motions hearing -- the buzz around the courthouse is the defense is objecting to one final expert witness prosecutors want to call. Attorney Eric Nelson arguing it's "cumulative," and there's been enough state expert analysis already.
One other issue I will be looking for this AM. Does Judge Cahill address events of last 24 hours in any way w/ the jury? Poll jurors to know who saw what, whether they have been prejudiced at all by the deadly police shooting & overnight unrest? #DerekChauvinTrial #GeorgeFloyd
BACK ON THE RECORD: Judge Peter Cahill has taken his spot on bench for a motions hearing. As I reported earlier, defense objecting to state expert testimony of Seth Stoughton today. Prosecutors want Stoughton, from Univ of South Carolina, to testify on use of force issues.
#DerekChauvin atty Eric Nelson arguing Seth Stoughton use-of-force expert witness testimony would be at least 6th person to talk about these issues. Says "it's cumulative." Prosecutors fighting to save his testimony, contending Stoughton is a nat'l expert & academic on the issue.
Judge rules state expert Seth Stoughton can testify on limited basis regarding national policing standards & related use-of-force violations he found during #GeorgeFloyd deadly arrest. My understanding is Stoughton will likely be final state witness before resting later today.
Judge Cahill has now moved onto potential testimony of #GeorgeFloyd companion Morries Hall. Cahill says he plans to put him on witness stand tomorrow (I assume outside presence of the jury) to see if Hall does indeed plan to invoke his 5th A privilege & not answer atty questions.
Defense atty Nelson tells Judge Cahill the state doesn't intend to offer Morries Hall any immunity in the case. Hall spoke to investigators, denying he gave #GeorgeFloyd drugs on day of Floyd's death. Seems Nelson wants state to offer some level of immunity to get Hall on stand.
HAPPENING NOW: Eric Nelson requesting immediate jury sequestration following yesterday's events in Brooklyn Center. Nelson says one juror is a resident of Brooklyn Center. #DerekChauvinTrial #GeorgeFloyd
Nelson worried about influence of Sunday's deadly police shooting & subsequent unrest might create an emotional response for jury & leave them unwilling to potentially acquit #DerekChauvin. Nelson wants jurors to be questioned abt what they know about Sunday's events. @FOX9
Prosecutor Steve Schleicher says state opposes jury sequestration. Argues Brooklyn Center is a different case, a different police agency. World events will continue to unfold outside of #DerekChauvin courtroom, Schleicher tells the court. He doesn't want jury questioned on matter
Judge Cahill *denies motions* to sequester the jury & to question them about the Brooklyn Center situation. Cahill: "It's a totally different case." Cahill says his thoughts on sequestration from the outset was to only sequester in the event jurors identities were made public.
Final note on today's motions hearing, Judge Cahill just told the court, he plans to have closing arguments a week from today, on Monday, April 19th. That will give jury next weekend to get affairs in order, pack bags over weekend & then begin their deliberations after closings.
NEXT WITNESS: State calls Dr. Jonathan Rich, Chicago, area cardiologist. Expect his testimony to address lingering issues about #GeorgeFloyd heart condition. And to conclude that Floyd's enlarged heart, narrowed arteries & disease were NOT the cause of death. #DerekChauvinTrial
Interesting to point out, this is very 1st time Dr. Jonathan Rich is testifying in a criminal court case. #DerekChauvinTrial #GeorgeFloyd Live gavel-to-gavel coverage all day online & on-air @FOX9.
Cardiologist Dr Jonathan Rich concludes #GeorgeFloyd died of "cardiopulmonary arrest" from low Oxygen levels while being restrained in prone position, leading to positional asphyxiation. Dr Rich testifies only compensation from state is $1200/day while away from work at trial.
DEFENSE WANTS JURY SEQUESTERED: Defense attorney Eric Nelson worries exposure to Sunday's events in Brooklyn Center will impact jurors ability to find #DerekChauvin Not Guilty in his murder & manslaughter trial. Judge Cahill denied Nelson's motion to sequester the jury.
CARDIOLOGIST: "I can state with a high degree of medical certainty that #GeorgeFloyd did not die from a primary cardiac event, and he did not die from a drug overdose," state expert Dr. Jonathan Rich.
Dr Jonathan Rich, a Chicago area cardiologist tells jury, #GeorgeFloyd death was "absolutely preventable." Contends officers should have turned Floyd onto his side, in a recovery position, and started CPR once they realized he had no pulse. #DerekChauvinTrial
CARDIOLOGIST ON THE STAND: Dr. Jonathan Rich, "I didn't see any of the signs of an opiate overdose." Defense is currently questioning the doctor under cross examination focused on blocked arteries & #GeorgeFloyd drug use. #DerekChauvinTrial
WHAT IF #GeorgeFloyd HAD GOTTEN IN THE SQUAD? Defense asks cardiologist on cross examination if Floyd had gotten in the squad car, would he be alive? Dr. Rich responds, it's all about the restraint. #DerekChauvinTrial @FOX9
Dr Jonathan Rich testimony complete. State has 2 witnesses left today. They are set to appear this afternoon, starting at 1:30. So Judge Peter Cahill calls early lunch recess. Believe "spark of life" testimony is up next. Meaning a #GeorgeFloyd family member. #DerekChauvinTrial
ON THE RECORD: Judge Cahill issuing ruling on Morries Hall testimony. If Hall follows thru & invokes 5th amendment privileges, refusing to testify in #DerekChauvinTrial because of self-incrimination concerns, Cahill rules NONE of his prior statements to authorities are admissible
SPARK OF LIFE TESTIMONY: State calls #GeorgeFloyd brother Philonise Floyd to the witness stand. #DerekChauvinTrial @FOX9
Philonise Floyd currently detailing #GeorgeFloyd biography, starting with George Floyd's birth in Fayetteville, North Carolina & sharing a childhood playing video games together in Houston. #DerekChauvinTrial
Jury just got to see this photo of a young #GeorgeFloyd w/ his mom. Brother Philonise has begun crying, saying he misses both his mother & older brother. Philonise was married May 24th, George Floyd died May 25th, and their mom passed on May 30th. So those days are bittersweet.
Philonise told jury about his brother's special bond with their mother. Prosecutors displayed several photos of #GeorgeFloyd thru the years including one w/ now 7yo daughter Gianna Floyd. Philonise's 10 minute testimony complete. There will be NO CROSS EXAM #DerekChauvinTrial
FINAL STATE WITNESS? State has called Seth Stoughton, a former police officer & current university professor on policing issues w/ specific use of force expertise. Based on how prosecutors have laid out their case, high probability this is their last witness before resting. @FOX9
"ONE OF A KIND": Philonise Floyd describing #GeorgeFloyd relationship with their mother during spark of life testimony Monday afternoon. "He was a big mama's boy." #DerekChauvinTrial
Prosecutor Steve Schleicher is using this 9:29 timeline with Seth Stoughton so Stoughton can basically document all the apparent mistakes made during #DerekChauvin knee restraint. Professor Stoughton basing his analysis on a reasonable officer in similar situation. #GeorgeFloyd
DID BYSTANDERS PRESENT A THREAT? National use of force expert concludes there was no threat from bystanders gathered around #GeorgeFloyd deadly arrest scene outside Cup Foods. Defense currently cross examining Univ of South Carolina professor Seth Stoughton. #DerekChauvinTrial
As we close out another heavy, emotional day, a look ahead to Tuesday: At #ChauvinTrial, expect prosecutors to formally rest case & defense to start calling witnesses. At noon, families of #GeorgeFloyd & #DaunteWright plan 2 rally together outside courthouse as both seek justice.
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