The issue is that is standard operating procedure for Minneapolis police department in that scenario. They are literally supposed to kneel on their necks like that.
I'm not trying to defend Chauvin here. I think he's scum. But I think it's going to be damn near impossible for the prosecution to get him with 2nd degree murder when he was following operating procedure and Floyd was saying he was unable to breathe before the choke hold was employed. It's a shame, but I fully expect Chauvin will get a minimal sentence if not walk altogether.
Originally posted by ares834
The issue is that is standard operating procedure for Minneapolis police department in that scenario. They are literally supposed to kneel on their necks like that.I'm not trying to defend Chauvin here. I think he's scum. But I think it's going to be damn near impossible for the prosecution to get him with 2nd degree murder when he was following operating procedure and Floyd was saying he was unable to breathe before the choke hold was employed. It's a shame, but I fully expect Chauvin will get a minimal sentence if not walk altogether.
From the training MPD manual apparently concerning the knee-to-back technique: "the maximal restraint technique shall only be used in situations where handcuffed subjects are combative and still pose a threat to themselves, officers or others, or could cause significant damage property if not properly restrained."
Floyd was pretty damn docile those 8-9 minutes, Chauvin had lots of backup and there were several police cruisers near by where they could have locked Floyd in if they though he was a danger to others and/or himself. The prosecution will probably focus on those aspects. ie What Chauvin did was not reasonable.
It's been awhile since I looked into this, but from what I recall; Floyd showed signs of being in some kinda medical state (the name escapes me at this time) that is considered to be dangerous to himself and others. I suppose we'll see what happens when the trial commences.
Edit: Excited delirium is what it's called. Looking into it, there seems to be some controversy over whether it's real or not and that it's often used to absolve excessive force.
Kinda sounds like a police spin on this:
Originally posted by Darth Thor
Of course it was police brutality. Anyone they arrest might be sick or on drugs. Its why you shouldnt needlessly choke them. Lets not even talk about how he begged for his life, because thats just depressing.
That's kind of a problem in itself..
Everyone saw that. How on earth do you get an impartial jury now?
I know I sure couldn't do it, I'd be absolutely biased.
I feel like it was negligence moreso than brutality, not that it changes that a man died as a result.
Watching the entire police cam footage did change it a little for me, though. They were actually pretty nice to him when they approached, immediately called EMTs when he said "I can't breathe" which was when he was still in his own car, said they would roll windows down or leave doors open when they were trying to get him into the police car, etc.
I only say this because the media made me originally believe this was some vicious attack where the police targeted him and intentionally killed him. Didn't look that way from the bodycam footage to me, though it obviously wasn't handled correctly in the end.
Originally posted by Trocity
I feel like it was negligence moreso than brutality, not that it changes that a man died as a result.Watching the entire police cam footage did change it a little for me, though. They were actually pretty nice to him when they approached, immediately called EMTs when he said "I can't breathe" which was when he was still in his own car, said they would roll windows down or leave doors open when they were trying to get him into the police car, etc.
I only say this because the media made me originally believe this was some vicious attack where the police targeted him and intentionally killed him. Didn't look that way from the bodycam footage to me, though it obviously wasn't handled correctly in the end.
Chauvin keep his knee on Floyd's neck as Floyd repeatedly screamed:: "I can't breathe! The knee on my neck! I can't breathe!"
Originally posted by Trocity
I feel like it was negligence moreso than brutality, not that it changes that a man died as a result.
Negligence...?
He wasn't armed.
Hell, he was already fucking handcuffed, yet THREE COPS were keeping him down, including Derek who was literally making him suffocate.
One cop was needed to properly restrain him. What happened was murder, plain and simple.
Threatening civilians who wanted to help cannot be overlooked, either.