Miximate
Well-known member
Naturally won’t comment on the subject matter, but viewing at the moment via link on BBC. A female witness currently giving evidence appears to be totally spaced out and half asleep when being asked questions.
Naturally won’t comment on the subject matter, but viewing at the moment via link on BBC. A female witness currently giving evidence appears to be totally spaced out and half asleep when being asked questions.
She doesn’t want to be there according to CNN, just a regular person who happened to take some key videos on her phone. Overawed by being live on TV to millions.
It won’t inhibit the prosecution case, the videos themselves and all the other evidence are all that matters. But she is required to explain her story.
At least she is being led through her evidence and only (generally) required to give ‘yes’, ‘no’ or ‘don’t know’ answers
Not sure how it will benefit them and agree the video stands on its own merits.
I watched the opening statements from the Prosecution and Defence this afternoon. The prosecution showed the entire 9 and a half minutes filmed by a bystander as Chauvin knelt on his neck. I'd never seen it outside of the news coverage, which was obviously sanitised, and it was utterly sickening. The bystanders and others were imploring Chauvin to step back and let him breathe. Floyd was begging for several minutes, until after about 5 minutes he gradually became unresponsive, then stopped speaking and moving. Chauvin did not release his hold until an ambulance was there and they lifted his lifeless body onto a stretcher. He was already cuffed, he posed no threat, its inexplicable that Chauvin saw fit to kneel on his back and neck for nearly 10 minutes, especially after he'd gone spark out underneath him.
The Prosecution is saying his death was caused by asphyxiation. The Defence claim Floyd died of a cardiac arrest, brought on by an existing condition and substances in his bloodstream.
IMO the video evidence is absolutely damning, and this cop is going down. If somehow he doesn't - oh boy, is this going to kick off.
The defence will look to muddy the waters as much as possible in order to cast "reasonable doubt" for the jury. They will call doctors to ascertain Floyd had a pre-existing heart condition, they will bring to the fore that he had taken substances that day (something I assume is backed up by the autopsy).
But prior to that cop kneeling on his neck he was responsive and lucid, for 4 or 5 minutes as he begged for his life. I just can't see a jury seeing past that, because its evidence in front of your very eyes. This, I think, will just be a case of whether Chauvin is convicted of 2nd/3rd degree murder and/or manslaughter. Anything less and I predict a riot.
Come now. The man was ill, both physically and mentally. And he had a history of drug use. It was only a matter of time. It cannot be proven that the police action (which was arguably justified) had anything whasoever to do with the sad and tragic death.
The scary thing is, 10-15 years ago that would easily have stood. Easily.
Its to the credit of the bystanders, one in particular, who saw just how f*cked up this was and made sure it was captured in full. Chauvin was sacked from the MPD the very next day, which tells you all you need to know. Now, naturally, he's just trying to weasel his way to the softest sentence he can. Surely he knows he's not getting off though.
Come now. The man was ill, both physically and mentally. And he had a history of drug use. It was only a matter of time. It cannot be proven that the police action (which was arguably justified) had anything whasoever to do with the sad and tragic death.
Not sure how attacking the witnesses will benefit them and agree the video stands on its own merits.
Expect much commentary from some parts of society transferring the emphasis to the character of the deceased from the actions of the accused.