Dr. Rich, and others, have testified that, from a medical perspective, GF's death was not sudden... it was gradual, as a result of low oxygen.
MN - George Floyd, 46, died in police custody, Minneapolis, 25 May 2020 #14 - Chauvin Trial Day 11
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The first witness called Monday was Dr. Jonathan Rich, a medical expert in cardiology from Northwestern Memorial Hospital in the Chicago area, who the prosecution hopes to counter defense contentions that Floyd died from health problems and illicit drug use.
"I believe that Mr. George Floyd's death was absolutely preventable," Rich testified Monday.
Rich testified that he believes Floyd's cause of death was cardiopulmonary arrest caused by low oxygen levels. Those oxygen levels, he said as have others before him, "were induced by the prone restraint and positional asphyxia that he was subjected to."
Further, the doctor said, "I can state with a high degree of medical certainty that George Floyd did not die from a cardiac event and he did not die from an overdose."
Rich said he has watched bystander and other video from the scene and saw no evidence in Floyd's behavior or appearance that he was having difficulty with his heart until be pinned on the pavement by Chauvin and two other officers.
He had been stricken in connection from ongoing heart condition, he would immediately fall unconscious, Rich said.
In Floyd's case, the doctor said, low oxygen sent him into cardiopulmonary arrest "much more gradually and slowly. ... His speech [was] starting to become less forceful ... until his speech became absent and his muscle movements were absent."
The doctor added that his review of autopsy records also led him to conclude that Floyd did not suffer a heart attack on May 25 or at any other time in his life.
Rich went to say that despite seeing coronary artery blockage in Floyd's heart, the doctor said he saw nothing in the medical records to suggest that played a role in the death.
Prosecutor Jerry Blackwell turned his questioning to Floyd's illicit drug use, and Rich echoed what many earlier witnesses told the jury: "I see no evidence to suggest that a fentanyl overdose caused Mr. Floyd's death," said Rich who treats patients who have used fentanyl.
The doctor dismissed just as firmly any impact methamphetamine had on Floyd's fate, saying the drug "no substantive role" given that where was "a very relative low level of methamphetamine in his system."
Prevention measures that would have helped included "not subjecting him to that prone restraint" in the first place, relieving Floyd from that position and administering CPR once another officer said no pulse was detected.
Blackwell wrapped up by asking Rich whether Floyd have survived his encounter with police if not for his 9 minutes and 29 seconds on restraint on the pavement. "Yes, I believe he would have lived."
Defense attorney Eric Nelson asked on cross examination whether Floyd would have survived if he had followed police orders and gotten into the squad car upon arrest.
Rich replied "yes, I would agree with you" that any number of scenarios before being pinned to the pavement, including complying with the officers, would have spared Floyd's life.
The doctor did agree that Floyd had a significant presence of heart disease but tried to fend off Nelson's questions about the dangers of a 90% narrowing of a coronary artery being especially life-threatening, saying the heart finds way to create new paths for blood to circulate under those conditions.
Also, while Rich said during prosecution questioning that he reviewed all of the 46-year-old Floyd's medical records, the doctor acknowledged to the defense attorney that those records went back only three years.
Medical expert in Derek Chauvin trial testimony: George Floyd’s death ‘absolutely preventable’
"I believe that Mr. George Floyd's death was absolutely preventable," Rich testified Monday.
Rich testified that he believes Floyd's cause of death was cardiopulmonary arrest caused by low oxygen levels. Those oxygen levels, he said as have others before him, "were induced by the prone restraint and positional asphyxia that he was subjected to."
Further, the doctor said, "I can state with a high degree of medical certainty that George Floyd did not die from a cardiac event and he did not die from an overdose."
Rich said he has watched bystander and other video from the scene and saw no evidence in Floyd's behavior or appearance that he was having difficulty with his heart until be pinned on the pavement by Chauvin and two other officers.
He had been stricken in connection from ongoing heart condition, he would immediately fall unconscious, Rich said.
In Floyd's case, the doctor said, low oxygen sent him into cardiopulmonary arrest "much more gradually and slowly. ... His speech [was] starting to become less forceful ... until his speech became absent and his muscle movements were absent."
The doctor added that his review of autopsy records also led him to conclude that Floyd did not suffer a heart attack on May 25 or at any other time in his life.
Rich went to say that despite seeing coronary artery blockage in Floyd's heart, the doctor said he saw nothing in the medical records to suggest that played a role in the death.
Prosecutor Jerry Blackwell turned his questioning to Floyd's illicit drug use, and Rich echoed what many earlier witnesses told the jury: "I see no evidence to suggest that a fentanyl overdose caused Mr. Floyd's death," said Rich who treats patients who have used fentanyl.
The doctor dismissed just as firmly any impact methamphetamine had on Floyd's fate, saying the drug "no substantive role" given that where was "a very relative low level of methamphetamine in his system."
Prevention measures that would have helped included "not subjecting him to that prone restraint" in the first place, relieving Floyd from that position and administering CPR once another officer said no pulse was detected.
Blackwell wrapped up by asking Rich whether Floyd have survived his encounter with police if not for his 9 minutes and 29 seconds on restraint on the pavement. "Yes, I believe he would have lived."
Defense attorney Eric Nelson asked on cross examination whether Floyd would have survived if he had followed police orders and gotten into the squad car upon arrest.
Rich replied "yes, I would agree with you" that any number of scenarios before being pinned to the pavement, including complying with the officers, would have spared Floyd's life.
The doctor did agree that Floyd had a significant presence of heart disease but tried to fend off Nelson's questions about the dangers of a 90% narrowing of a coronary artery being especially life-threatening, saying the heart finds way to create new paths for blood to circulate under those conditions.
Also, while Rich said during prosecution questioning that he reviewed all of the 46-year-old Floyd's medical records, the doctor acknowledged to the defense attorney that those records went back only three years.
Medical expert in Derek Chauvin trial testimony: George Floyd’s death ‘absolutely preventable’
Why would an expert witness be biased because they are testifying for the prosecution? I didn't get the impression he was against the police or even police brutality.
Well he was a witness for the state...he is biased or I don't think he would have agreed to testify.
Biased is the wrong word...they knew he would support their case...if not he would not be there.
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The State usually has the advantage, with more resources. I have seen defendants with tons of free legal work done, if it is a case that has been able to get the ACLU involved, or becomes a pet project for a law school class.
This doesn't seem to be the case here though. Maybe Nelson has something for when it is his turn to present that will knock this out of the park. He is doing his job, maybe not spectacular, but no indication of "ineffective counsel". There just isn't a lot to work with.
I think that Nelson is being careful to not put the victim on trial, so far. Let's wait and see what he brings up when it is time for Defense.
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#DerekChauvinTrial - Judge denies defense motion to compel prosecutors as to why they are not offering Morries Hall immunity. Also if Hall invokes 5th and refuses to testify, the defense CANNOT bring in Hall's past interview as none of the Q&A is admissible.
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#DerekChauvinTrial - Judge denies defense motion to compel prosecutors as to why they are not offering Morries Hall immunity. Also if Hall invokes 5th and refuses to testify, the defense CANNOT bring in Hall's past interview as none of the Q&A is admissible.
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and we are back.
Taking the stand is: Philonise Floyd, brother of George
Taking the stand is: Philonise Floyd, brother of George
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exhibit 284 photo of George with mother as a child being shown to jury. Phil discussing his feelings about the loss of his mother and how close it was to his birthday.
States that as older brother in the household he would look out for his little siblings, helping get them off to school in the mornings. People in the community loved him, he knew how to make people feel better. He excelled in sports and had received a scholarship for basketball to college then switched colleges to play football for another.
Loved passing on his own appreciation of the sport by teaching basketball to others.
States that as older brother in the household he would look out for his little siblings, helping get them off to school in the mornings. People in the community loved him, he knew how to make people feel better. He excelled in sports and had received a scholarship for basketball to college then switched colleges to play football for another.
Loved passing on his own appreciation of the sport by teaching basketball to others.
I do not agree either. In fact, I'm appalled.
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I agree, I am accustomed to hearing this sort of testimony after the trial - during sentencing. It sort of slows the momentum in the trial where I am more interested in seeing just the facts/evidence.
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He made sure to nail “hooping” home, IMO. I’d guess a excellent coach didn’t want to bypass that opportunity.
That whole Spark of Life testimony seemed very odd...I mean who is not very very sad at their mother's death. Okay so they call it hooping...did not really need that info but okay. Why not just put him on last? This witness must really have something they want the jury to remember.
He certainly was beneficial to explain what GF may have meant when he said he was “hooping.” I am ok with them bringing a small amount of info in to humanize the victim, since he is dead and the jury cannot hear him tell his own story. He may have been a “perp” and an “addict” but he was also a son, brother, friend...human.
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and Dr. Tobin was not a cardiologist, he is a pulmonologist
I dont get his testimony so i changed the channel-- at least it was short
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and Dr. Tobin was not a cardiologist, he is a pulmonologist
I dont get his testimony so i changed the channel-- at least it was short
I think it was for 3 reasons...
1. For emotion, the "spark of life" aspect
2. To clarify the "hooping"
3. The "mama" thing, GF had his girlfriend in his phone as "mama". Other than for emotional reasons, I'm not sure it matters who he was referencing, either is equally as sad. JMO
as to #2, I don't know that it matters what is meant by it. Does it make a difference if GF told the officers he was on something? And if it does, does it benefit the State or the Defense that hooping meant basketball and that GF denied being on any drugs?
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