MN - George Floyd, unarmed man killed in police custody, Minneapolis, 25 May 2020

[dixiegirl1035]

3Rd degree? Huh????

Guess you guys are right... that may stick.. just SMDH though

 

[tayaway]

wow I didn’t know that. EMS should be charged too

Medics were not there when he died and when they did reach him, he had no pulse. ETA: They acted appropriately in trying to bring him back.

 

[CrimeDawg123]

https://assets.documentcloud.org/documents/6933248/27-CR-20-12646-Complaint.pdf
[Bold and some comments/questions by me]

As Officer Lane began speaking with Mr. Floyd, he pulled his gun
out and pointed it at Mr. Floyd’s open window and directed Mr. Floyd to show his hands. When Mr. Floyd
put his hands in the steering wheel, Lane put his gun back in its holster.
[Things started off badly]

While Officer Kueng was speaking with the front seat passenger, Officer Lane ordered Mr. Floyd out of the
car, put his hands on Mr. Floyd, and pulled him out of the car. Officer Lane handcuffed Mr. Floyd. Mr. Floyd
actively resisted being handcuffed.

Once handcuffed, Mr. Floyd became compliant and walked with Officer Lane to the sidewalk and sat on the
ground at Officer Lane’s direction. In a conversation that lasted just under two minutes, Officer Lang asked
Mr. Floyd for his name and identification. Officer Lane asked Mr. Lloyd if he was “on anything” and
explained that he was arresting Mr. Lloyd for passing counterfeit currency.

Officers Kueng and Lane stood Mr. Floyd up and attempted to walk Mr. Floyd to their squad car (MPD 320)
at 8:14 p.m. Mr. Floyd stiffened up, fell to the ground, and told the officers he was claustrophobic.

MPD Officers Derek Chauvin (the defendant) and Tou Thoa then arrived in a separate squad car.
The officers made several attempts to get Mr. Floyd in the backseat of squad 320 from the driver’s side.
Mr. Floyd did not voluntarily get in the car and struggled with the officers by intentionally falling down, saying
he was not going in the car, and refusing to stand still. Mr. Floyd is over six feet tall and weighs more than
200 pounds.

While standing outside the car, Mr. Floyd began saying and repeating that he could not breathe. The
defendant went to the passenger side and tried to get Mr. Floyd into the car from that side and Lane and
Kueng assisted.
[Are they are setting this up to be a health issue of GF?]

The defendant pulled Mr. Floyd out of the passenger side of the squad car at 8:19:38 p.m. and Mr. Floyd
went to the ground face down and still handcuffed. Kueng held Mr. Floyd’s back and Lane held his legs. The
defendant placed his left knee in the area of Mr. Floyd’s head and neck. Mr. Floyd said, “I can’t breathe”
multiple times and repeatedly said, “Mama” and “please,” as well. The defendant and the other two officers
stayed in their positions.
[If GF was IN THE CAR, why did DC remove him from the car?]

The officers said, “You are talking fine” to Mr. Floyd as he continued to move back and forth. Lane asked,
“should we roll him on his side?” and the defendant said, “No, staying put where we got him.” Officer Lane
said, “I am worried about excited delirium or whatever.” The defendant said, “That’s why we have him on his
stomach.” None of the three officers moved from their positions.
[I still don't understand what the officers were trying to accomplish here. What were they waiting for?]

BWC video shows Mr. Floyd continue to move and breathe. At 8:24:24, Mr. Floyd stopped moving. At
8:25:31 the video appears to show Mr. Floyd ceasing to breathe or speak. Lane said, “want to roll him on
his side.” Kueng checked Mr. Floyd’s right wrist for a pulse and said, “I couldn’t find one.” None of the
officers moved from their positions.

At 8:27:24, the defendant removed his knee from Mr. Floyd’s neck. An ambulance and emergency medical
personnel arrived, the officers placed Mr. Floyd on a gurney, and the ambulance left the scene. Mr. Floyd
was pronounced dead at Hennepin County Medical Center.

The Hennepin County Medical Examiner (ME) conducted Mr. Floyd’s autopsy on May 26, 2020. The full
report of the ME is pending but the ME has made the following preliminary findings. The autopsy revealed
no physical findings that support a diagnosis of traumatic asphyxia or strangulation. Mr. Floyd had
underlying health conditions including coronary artery disease and hypertensive heart disease. The
combined effects of Mr. Floyd being restrained by the police, his underlying health conditions and any
potential intoxicants in his system likely contributed to his death.
[IMO this is the key to why they have charged him with only 3rd degree - "combined effects"]

The defendant had his knee on Mr. Floyd’s neck for 8 minutes and 46 seconds in total. Two minutes and 53
seconds of this was after Mr. Floyd was non-responsive. Police are trained that this type of restraint with a
subject in a prone position is inherently dangerous.

 

[kaen]

The EMS responders did their jobs. They tried to save him. Let's not lose focus. He was killed by these officers. If he could have been saved it would have hinged on the officers getting their bodies off of his when Kueng said he had no pulse. CPR might have saved him then but 2 minutes later the chances were slim to none.

Let's be really honest. He would not be dead if when he reported having problems breathing EMS was called and he was assessed at the ER. When a person in cuffs reports trouble breathing the way to get them to be able to breathe or calm down from a panic attack is not to constrict their access to air and make them panic more. Trained officers know that. The one officer knew that which is why he suggested they turn him on his side. They acted out of their scope of training. They killed him. They deserve a long prison sentence.

 

[dixiegirl1035]

Finally an arrest! Time will tell what else the investigation uncovers....

I hope the family also files a wrongful death lawsuit.

His two siblings fundraisers are at about $3 million right now to help with such.

 

[mickey2942]

I do think that this Social Unrest activity is a result, not only of the situation, but also the ongoing tension of the Pandemic.

Hoping that this can quickly be settled and not continue to escalate.

 

[Gardenista]

I wonder if they pulled him out of the car for EMS.

 

[DD8]

wow I didn’t know that. EMS should be charged too

Where has it been reported that EMS didn't do anything?

 

[kaen]

I do think that this Social Unrest activity is a result, not only of the situation, but also the ongoing tension of the Pandemic.

Hoping that this can quickly be settled and not continue to escalate.

While I know this is not exactly what you meant, I think the issue is that things are often too quickly settled and real change doesn't happen.

And, who are the people most affected by the pandemic based on underlying health issues, lack of access to medical care......... PoC. People are sick and tired of being sick and tired. Time for sweeping change.

 

[MsBetsy]

so did the video show him resisting arrest repeatedly or did the video only start when the cop's knee was on his neck?

Which video? There are several out there but I think only a few have been posted here.

According to the police report, they found him sitting in his car with I think two other passengers. LE pulled him out of the car and put handcuffs on him. He was sitting down on the curb at one point.

Initially he refused to get in the police car but when he was standing by the car he told the officers he could not breath and he was claustrophobic. That is not in any video that I have seen, but it was after that when police put him facedown on the ground in his cuffs and kneeled on his neck.

At some point, while he was begging for his life and saying "mama" and "please," police told him if he was able to talk he was able to breathe.

They definitely knew he wasn't breathing while he kneeled on his neck for 3 more minutes after he was dead.

Imo

 

[kaen]

I wonder if they pulled him out of the car for EMS.

They pulled him out of the car after the second attempt to place him in the squad car. He then fell to the ground.

 

[tayaway]

The EMS responders did their jobs. They tried to save him. Let's not lose focus. He was killed by these officers. If he could have been saved it would have hinged on the officers getting their bodies off of his when Kueng said he had no pulse. CPR might have saved him then but 2 minutes later the chances were slim to none.

Let's be really honest. He would not be dead if when he reported having problems breathing EMS was called and he was assessed at the ER. When a person in cuffs reports trouble breathing the way to get them to be able to breathe or calm down from a panic attack is not to constrict their access to air and make them panic more. Trained officers know that. The one officer knew that which is why he suggested they turn him on his side. They acted out of their scope of training. They killed him. They deserve a long prison sentence.

I can attest to this from personal experience. Years ago, while walking across the street, I got hit by a pickup truck. I went into shock and when the firemen arrived, they immediately gave me oxygen. I have no breathing issues, but without that oxygen, maybe I wouldn't be here today.

If he was having a panic attack, they needed to address it; instead, they made it far worse.

 

[ilovewings]

I am just catching up with this news. Haven’t read the entire thread yet, and I apologize in advance as I’m sure everything I’m about to say has already been said. But I need to say it too. RANT ALERT

I sadly watched the Floyd video. I’m sickened. I just saw police slowly murder a human being ... on video. I feel sick. I am today literally ashamed to be white. From what I saw on video there was no resisting arrest by Floyd. He was maybe drunk. It was a counterfeit bill. Tase him and cuff him. Ok. But NO. They freaking murdered a man on video. I have watched graphic videos before, and have a strong stomach. This actually sickened me. It’s slow. You literally watch this man slowly be killed by suffocating him.

Termination of the officers was the bare minimum. The murder charge was the obvious outcome.

Someone said to me, “well now you know why people run from police.” I don’t want to go there. It diverts attention to those that don’t cooperate with police. Floyd didn’t run, he appears to not resist. I’m focused on that. People should not have to run, nor should they. Do not resist arrest. If a suspect is an armed violent threat, police may need to use force or weapons. I’m on board with that. But an unarmed person not resisting arrest should expect to be treated with respect and within legal protocol. Not murdered in cold blood, slowly, while being filmed. I’m so outraged.

I am sorry for this city that is experiencing the outbreak of protests. Violence is never the answer. But I am actually glad to see some outrage about something that has real meaning. I have watched the protests from the privileged folks that are angry they can’t get their Starbucks double latte without a mask. That is ok too. They have a right to protest. Now let’s come together and be outraged about this senseless brutality and murder.

Let there be justice for George Floyd.

all above MOO. RANT OVER

Think about this- absent the video this horror
would have been swept under the rug and would
never have seen the light of day

 

[kaen]

Where has it been reported that EMS didn't do anything?

Nowhere, it is rumor. EMS did render aid. LUCAS device used, one shock administered, IV run, and care rendered until more trained personnel took over. He never got a pulse back. Link at post #515 and below. The officers did not perform to their first aid/CPR training.

FD report: George Floyd was 'pulseless, unresponsive' in ambulance

 

[DD8]

Nowhere, it is rumor. EMS did render aid. LUCAS device, one shock administered, IV run. He never got a pulse back. Link at post #515 and below.

FD report: George Floyd was 'pulseless, unresponsive' in ambulance

Where did those accusations even come from? Seems EMS tries everything they can on people even though they may already be beyond saving

 

[oceanblueeyes]

I am just catching up with this news. Haven’t read the entire thread yet, and I apologize in advance as I’m sure everything I’m about to say has already been said. But I need to say it too. RANT ALERT

I sadly watched the Floyd video. I’m sickened. I just saw police slowly murder a human being ... on video. I feel sick. I am today literally ashamed to be white. From what I saw on video there was no resisting arrest by Floyd. He was maybe drunk. It was a counterfeit bill. Tase him and cuff him. Ok. But NO. They freaking murdered a man on video. I have watched graphic videos before, and have a strong stomach. This actually sickened me. It’s slow. You literally watch this man slowly be killed by suffocating him.

Termination of the officers was the bare minimum. The murder charge was the obvious outcome.

Someone said to me, “well now you know why people run from police.” I don’t want to go there. It diverts attention to those that don’t cooperate with police. Floyd didn’t run, he appears to not resist. I’m focused on that. People should not have to run, nor should they. Do not resist arrest. If a suspect is an armed violent threat, police may need to use force or weapons. I’m on board with that. But an unarmed person not resisting arrest should expect to be treated with respect and within legal protocol. Not murdered in cold blood, slowly, while being filmed. I’m so outraged.

I am sorry for this city that is experiencing the outbreak of protests. Violence is never the answer. But I am actually glad to see some outrage about something that has real meaning. I have watched the protests from the privileged folks that are angry they can’t get their Starbucks double latte without a mask. That is ok too. They have a right to protest. Now let’s come together and be outraged about this senseless brutality and murder.

Let there be justice for George Floyd.

all above MOO. RANT OVER

I understand your emotions. Everyone here has been very emotional about George's senseless murder.

In fact since it happened I havent seen one person in the media or in my own personal life or here who hasn't been highly upset seeing such a terrible injustice.

All I have seen ...no matter their race or even political affiliation are sickened, and outraged by this senseless murder. Everyone who's seen it has demanded the excop be arrested, and charged with murder. Many who have proclaimed that justice must be done have been seasoned police officers themselves of all races, but the majority I've seen have been white police officers.

However I am not ashamed I am a white woman. I have nothing to be ashamed of since I have lived a long life always being kind, and respectful to all others of all races.

No one who has never harmed another soul of any race shouldn't ever apologize simply because they happen to be of the same race as this killer excop who cruelly, and inhumanely took George's life from him. Respectfully that just doesn't make any sense. I know far more kind, good, moral, and decent people of all races than there are bad ones. Our country is filled with these kind of people of all races.

Single bad acts committed by individuals of any race doesnt define all others as being the same. MLK even stressed this. He knew we are defined by what each of us do in our lives. The innocent shouldn't ever feel ashamed or quilty for something they did not do nor never would do.

It's what SillyBilly just warned us about when they cautioned painting all LE with the same wide brush accusing them all as being the same is off limits. 99% are nothing like this excop.

That would be as foolish, and baseless as me painting all AAs as the exact same or any other race for that matter. No one should ever be identified simply because of what race they happened to be or where they may live, etc.

I am very proud to be white, and how I've treated all others all of my life.

None of us are identified by race, or some imaginary identity box. We all are individuals with individual moral compasses, and each human has their own thought processes. We are as individual as all human beings are .....the way God intended us all to be. That is why we arent clones of each other. We were never meant to be the same as all other human beings.

So I'm not ashamed for my race. I have no reason to be. It is what it is. However I am appalled by the criminal behavior committed against George just like I always am appalled, and sickened when any victim's life is taken away by cruel uncaring murder suspects. Justice is for ALL, and in every case I've followed here since 2004 I have made it profoundly clear justice must be served.

I've followed hundreds or perhaps thousands of cases for decades involving murdered victims of all races, and suspects of all races. In each one I prayed for justice to be done just like I have prayed for George, and his shattered family to receive justice.

Jmhoo

 

[drama_farmer]

From Minneapolis Cop Derek Chauvin Arrested, Charged With Murder, Manslaughter In George Floyd Killing:

Freeman said Friday that his team moved quickly to gather evidence about the case and make a charging decision.

“By far the fastest we’ve ever charged a police officer,” he said. “Normally these cases can taken nine months to a year.”

Let's be real here. If it can take 9 months to a year to charge a cop, that is part of the problem right there. It is astounding that the DA's office has not made changes to that timeline in cop related killings or incidents. Create a timeline template, set goals, and assign resources. You can't say that this is an issue you care about (as the DA said yesterday) and not make a massive change.

snipped and bbm

Sometimes I wonder if it would be better if those in charge would simply admit that certain classes of people are treated differently in the justice system. And that's just the way it is. And, without some sort of catastrophic re-vamping of the system, that's the way it shall always be.

I'm certainly not an expert in jurisprudence, but, IMO I believe that many true-crime followers have seen this "difference" in action. Off the top of my head, I can list three classes, imo, that appear to receive special treatment and consideration as suspects, perpetrators and (if it even gets that far) defendants.

• Those who wear a uniform (whether on-duty or off-duty)
• Those who have personal connections to others who have authority over how justice is carried out
• Those who are provided (or can afford) "improved" legal services from skilled defense teams and experts

If those in authority were willing to at least confirm that a multi-tiered justice system is what we have, maybe that could be a first step in at first wishing, and then working to begin to start a conversation about maybe making a few changes that may or may not become a new reality.
JMO

 

[Cappuccino]

I understand your emotions. Everyone here has been very emotional about George's senseless murder.

In fact since it happened I havent seen one person in the media or in my own personal life who hasn't been highly upset seeing such a terrible injustice.

All I have seen ...no matter their race or even political affiliation are sickened, and outraged by this senseless murder. Everyone who's seen it has demanded the excop be arrested, and charged with murder. Many who have proclaimed that justice must be done have been seasoned police officers themselves of all races.

However I am not ashamed I am a white woman. I have nothing to be ashamed of since I have lived a long life always being kind, and respectful to all others of all races.

No one who has never harmed another soul of any race shouldn't ever apologize simply because they happen to be of the same race as this killer excop who cruelly, and inhumanely took George's life from him. Respectfully that just doesn't make any sense. I know far more kind, good, moral, and decent people of all races than there are bad ones. Our country is filled with these kind of people of all races. Single bad acts committed by individuals of any race doesnt define all others as being the same. MLK even stressed this. He knew we are defined by what each of us do in our lives. The innocent shouldn't ever feel ashamed or quilty for something they did not do nor never would do.

It's what SillyBilly just warned us about when they cautioned painting all LE with the same wide brush accusing them all as being the same is off limits.

That would be as foolish, and baseless as me painting all AAs as the exact same or any other race for that matter. No one should ever be identified simply because of what race they happened to be or where they may live, etc.

I am very proud to be white, and how I've treated all others all of my life.

None of us are identified by race, or some imaginary identity box. We all are individuals with individual moral compasses, and each human has their own thought processes. We are as individual as all human beings are .....the way God intended us all to be. That is why we arent clones of each other.

So I'm not ashamed for my race. I have no reason to be. It is what it is. However I am appalled by the criminal behavior committed against George just like I always am appalled, and sickened when any victim's life is taken away by cruel uncaring murder suspects. Justice is for ALL, and in every case I've followed here since 2004 I have made it profoundly clear justice must be served.

I've followed hundreds or perhaps thousands of cases for decades involving murdered victims of all races, and suspects of all races. In each one I prayed for justice to be done just like I have prayed for George, and his shattered family to receive justice.

Jmhoo

Well said.

 

[LadyL]

Which video? There are several out there but I think only a few have been posted here.

According to the police report, they found him sitting in his car with I think two other passengers. LE pulled him out of the car and put handcuffs on him. He was sitting down on the curb at one point.

Initially he refused to get in the police car but when he was standing by the car he told the officers he could not breath and he was claustrophobic. That is not in any video that I have seen, but it was after that when police put him facedown on the ground in his cuffs and kneeled on his neck.

At some point, while he was begging for his life and saying "mama" and "please," police told him if he was able to talk he was able to breathe.

They definitely knew he wasn't breathing while he kneeled on his neck for 3 more minutes after he was dead.

Imo

I've only seen the one posted here
he resisted a few times according to the report posted upthread

 

[kaen]

I can attest to this from personal experience. Years ago, while walking across the street, I got hit by a pickup truck. I went into shock and when the firemen arrived, they immediately gave me oxygen. I have no breathing issues, but without that oxygen, maybe I wouldn't be here today.

If he was having a panic attack, they needed to address it; instead, they made it far worse.

Shock can kill fairly quickly. Thank goodness you were okay. Those first responders utilized their training.

I am trained in First Aid and CPR for The Professional Rescuers for over 20 years. When I need recertification, I am in classes with other first responders including police officers. Training is clear. Adult who says they have breathing issues may be having a cardiac or breathing event. Always call 911 (using CALL CHECK CARE guidelines) and keep the person calm. You are not to render care outside of your scope of training. These officers would have (at least) had my level of training and should have gotten someone with more training on site ASAP given that it could have been a cardiac or breathing issue. Instead, they ignored their training and exacerbated the situation while one placed their knee into the neck of Mr. Floyd. The whole situation is grotesque.