Leid Stories - 04.19.21

Closing arguments by both prosecution and defense lawyers in the Derek Chauvin case begin their closing arguments today.

Prosecutors will try to persuade jurors that Chauvin went afoul of police training and departmental rules as the leader of a squad of officers who attempted to arrest Floyd for allegedly using a counterfeit $20 bill to buy a pack of cigarettes at a convenience store.

When Floyd at first resisted

arrest, Chovin pinned Floyd to the ground and knelt on his neck for about nine and a half minutes, cutting off blood flow to Floyd's brain and other vital organs. Floyd died before he reached a hospital.

Chauvin's lawyers argued in court that Floyd's use of drugs and a deteriorated state of health because of drug use were the principal causes of his death.

Leid Stories "jurors" will discuss how they would likely vote on Chauvin, based on what they have learned about the case.