Chauvin trial: Prosecution rests as defence opens with former cop

Prosecutors in trial over Floyd’s death rest after presenting videos, expert testimony claiming excessive force.

Prosecutors rested their case on Tuesday at the murder trial of former Officer Derek Chauvin after 11 days of testimony and a mountain of video depicting George Floyd’s final moments, opening the way for the defence to present its side. Video of Floyd gasping for air was played for the jury along with other bystander footage and police body-camera video of the 46-year-old Black man’s slow-motion death as former Minneapolis Police officer Derek Chauvin held his knee on Floyd’s neck. Medical experts testified that Floyd died of a lack of oxygen because his breathing was constricted as police held him down on his stomach, his hands cuffed behind his back and his face jammed against the ground.