Thread by @LouRaguse

We are about to begin Week 3 in the Derek Chauvin trial. The prosecution could wrap as early as today.
kare11.com/article/news/l…

Judge Cahill is holding a motions hearing first. Here is the Youtube link.

Nelson made a motion to exclude testimony from the state's second national use-of-force expert, Seth Stoughton.

Nelson says it is cumulative and repetitive from prior witnesses and that the state is planning on going through the body camera video piece by piece.

Nelson says Stoughton would be the sixth opinion on use-of-force allowed in this trial if he testifies.

Prosecutor Steve Schleicher: Stoughton would testify that after evaluating threat or lack thereof that Floyd posed -- and based on nationally recognized best practices -- the use of force here was objectively unreasonable.

Schleicher says Stoughton would use only small portions of the videos -- not replay the entire thing.

5 or 8 second clips.

Judge Cahill is ruling "the state made it's own bed here" by asking use of force opinion from all the MPD officers who testified. Says it's gotten repetitive.

Not going to allow them to ask about crowd effects.

Also, Judge Cahill will not allow Stoughton to talk about that audio clip where the sides dispute what George Floyd said -- "I ate too many drugs" or "I aint' do any drugs"

Judge Cahill says they will bring Morries Hall to the witness stand outside of jury tomorrow to figure out what he can or cannot testify about.

If Hall cannot testify -- Nelson is proposing that instead -- the state explains why they won't give Hall immunity.

And then, Nelson wants to play Hall's interview with BCA and FBI to the jury.

Last year, Hall gave 1.5. hour interview with an attorney to BCA and FBI.

Nelson is arguing that Chauvin's right to present a complete defense conflicts with Hall's right to avoid self-incrimination.

And Nelson says there is precedence that would allow Hall's police interview to be played in the trial.

Nelson says that in judge's chambers, the prosecution said they have no intention to offer Hall immunity, which would allow him to testify in the trial without issue.

Judge Cahill sounds a little skeptical of Nelson's legal argument -- that since a Texas attorney allowed Hall to talk to the BCA and FBI, it's an interview that can be used in this trial under these circumstances

Judge Cahill will think about it. Make a ruling at 1pm.

Now Nelson is making a motion requesting sequestration of the jury in view of the events in Brooklyn Center last night -- the police shooting followed by civil unrest.

One juror is FROM Brooklyn Center, others have connections to the city.

Nelson says he is worried that emotional response that the Brooklyn Center case causes -- could lead to a juror choosing not to vote Not Guilty.

"This incident last night highlights and brings to forefront that a verdict in this case will have consequences."

Nelson wants the jurors questioned about what they know about the Brooklyn Center incident.

He thinks they should be cautioned at beginning and end of every day to avoid *all* media. (they have been allowed to consume media as long as avoid stuff on this trial)

Prosecutor Schleicher argues against -- and says jurors should be trusted to do what they said they would do, not take outside factors or cases into consideration.

Judge Cahill denies the motion to sequester the jury and to further question them.

He thinks sequestrations would only further aggravate the issue of the meaning of the Brooklyn Center incident -- such as make them more worried for safety if they are sequestered

Judge Cahill also said that he expects closing arguments a week from today.

First witness -- Dr. Jonathan Rich, a cardiologist, testifies that the cause of George Floyd's death is "cardiopulmonary arrest caused by low oxygen levels" induced by the prone restraint and positional asphyxiation

Dr. Rich's testimony ties together Dr. Tobin and Dr. Baker's testimony for the state. It seems that they are using him as a way to tell the jury that several things can be true at the same time. (saying prone restraint and low oxygen led to cardiopulmonary arrest)

Dr. Rich firmly tells the jury, "I can state with a high degree of medical certainty that George Floyd did not die from a primary cardiac event and he did not die from a drug overdose."

Dr. Rich circles for the prosecution back to PEA arrest, which two prior witnesses mentioned to the jury. Dr. Rich reiterates that lack of oxygen is the most common cause of PEA.

Dr. Rich going into detail about his opinion that Chauvin should have rolled over George Floyd when it was suggested by Lane. And should have started CPR when Kueng couldn't find a pulse.

Nelson is now beginning to cross-examine Dr. Rich.

We know the state will also call use-of-force expert Seth Stoughton today.

And I just learned from the pool reporter note that the state is preparing to call George Floyd's brother Philonise Floyd as the spark of life witness.

Nelson got Dr. Rich to acknowledge George Floyd has history of very high blood pressure.

Also a lot of talk about paraganglioma tumor.

Seems to be a lot of questions Nelson's medical expert probably wanted to get on the record.

Dr. Rich answers Nelson's question -- saying that George Floyd would not have died if not for the officers' restraint.

Then Nelson asked, "In other words, if he had gotten into the squad car, he'd be alive?"

Dr. Rich says his answer doesn't change.

Noon break. see you on TV. send questions if you have them. We will also show Brooklyn Center press conference if they finally start it.

Brooklyn Center Mayor Mike Elliott says they will play the body camera footage that captured the shooting -- here during this news conference.

The Brooklyn Center Police Chief just said the officer accidentally pulled her gun instead of her taser.
"This was an accidental discharged that resulted in the tragic death of Mr. Wright."

The officer yelled out "Taser, Taser" which is what she was supposed to do prior than shooting the taser...... but then she shot the gun.

After firing the gun -- the officer yelled, "Holy Shit, I shot him."

The Chief said in the first place they pulled over the car for expired tabs.

And that after running his name, the officers knew he had a warrant for his arrest.

Chief says he doesn't know for certain -- but has not been made aware of any gun found in Wright's car.

While in the process of being arrested -- in the video -- Wright breaks free and gets back in the driver's seat -- that is the point the officer yells "Taser Taser" -- then fires -- then says "holy shit i shot him."

Mayor says he fully supports the officer getting fired for what happened.

We are expecting court to resume at 1:30.

Remember... one juror lives in Brooklyn Center. Several more have ties. Presumably unbeknown to them, there were big revelations over the noon hour concerning the police shooting of Daunte Wright.

The first witness this afternoon --- is Philonise Floyd --- the 39-year-old brother of George Floyd.

This is the "spark of life" testimony.

Philonise Floyd gave tear-filled testimony about his brother and his love for his daughter and mother.

The state is now calling Seth Stoughton, use of force expert.

Here is the body camera video of the police shooting of Daunte Wright in Brooklyn Center.

Broken into two parts, here is what Brooklyn Center Police Chief said right after video played.

Part 2

This is the afternoon youtube link:

Use of force expert Seth Stoughton highlighted the fact Chauvin said to keep George Floyd where he is -- after Lane asks "should we roll him over?"

As Stoughton testifies, the jury sees this timeline made by the prosecution.

"Someone without a pulse does not present a threat in any way," Stoughton testifies after the jury watches the part where Kueng checks for a pulse on George Floyd but can't find one.

Eric Nelson has been aggressive in cross-examination, painting Stoughton as an academic with different perceptions than working officers, and challenging him on opinions such as the prone restraint being excessive from the start.

Judge Cahill: Nelson starts tomorrow, will be done by end of week. Possibly before Friday. Closing arguments probably on Monday regardless. Deliberations to follow.