Defense: Chauvin did what he was trained to do

The attorney for former Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin argued during opening statements that Chauvin had followed his training and wasn't to blame for George Floyd's death. (March 29)

Video Transcript

ERIC NELSON: And you will learn that Derek Chauvin did exactly what he had been trained to do over the course of his 19-year career. The use of force is not attractive, but it is a necessary component of policing.

Upon their arrival, the first thing that Officer Chauvin sees is Officers Kueng and Lane struggling with Mr. Floyd. Mr. Chauvin asked the officers, "Is he under arrest?" Yes. And then Officer Chauvin began to assist them in their efforts to get him into the squad car.

And this will ultimately be another significant battle in this trial-- what was Mr. Floyd's actual cause of death? The evidence will show that Mr. Floyd died of a cardiac arrhythmia that occurred as a result of hypertension, his coronary disease, the ingestion of methamphetamine and fentanyl, and the adrenaline flowing through his body.

There is no political or social cause in this courtroom. But the evidence is far greater than 9 minutes and 29 seconds.