Chauvin decides not to testify at George Floyd murder trial | Daily News

Chauvin decides not to testify at George Floyd murder trial

This screenshot obtained from video feed via Court TV on April 15, 2021, shows former Minneapolis Police officer Derek Chauvin (R), who is accused of killing George Floyd, addressing the court on April 15, 2021, next to Defense attorney Eric Nelson. - AFP
This screenshot obtained from video feed via Court TV on April 15, 2021, shows former Minneapolis Police officer Derek Chauvin (R), who is accused of killing George Floyd, addressing the court on April 15, 2021, next to Defense attorney Eric Nelson. - AFP

US: Former Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin said Thursday that he would not testify at his murder trial for the death of George Floyd, as a policewoman facing charges for the killing of another Black American made her first court appearance.

The prosecution and defense in Chauvin’s trial rested on Thursday after the state called a final witness and Chauvin said he would exercise his constitutional right against self-incrimination.

“I will invoke my Fifth Amendment privilege today,” Chauvin told Judge Peter Cahill.

“Is this your decision -- not to testify?” the judge asked the former police officer, who was wearing a gray suit with a dark blue shirt and dark blue tie. “It is, your honour,” Chauvin said.

The 45-year-old Chauvin was recorded kneeling on the neck of the 46-year-old Floyd for more than nine minutes during his May 25, 2020 arrest in Minneapolis for allegedly using a counterfeit $20 bill.

A bystander video of the arrest went viral and sparked protests against racial injustice and police brutality in the United States and around the world.

Cahill gave the nine-woman, five-man jury a day off on Friday before closing arguments Monday.

The judge reminded the jurors that they would be sequestered for their deliberations and told them they should “plan for long and hope for short” when packing their bags. Minneapolis was rocked by demonstrations following Floyd’s death and there have been nightly protests in the city since Wright’s shooting, some violent.

At the Chauvin trial, prosecutors called a final witness on Thursday to rebut testimony by a medical expert for the defense who said Floyd’s death was due to underlying heart disease and the illegal drugs fentanyl and methamphetamine. - AFP