Trial Begins for Derek Chauvin in the Killing of George Floyd

Benjamin Bates Data News Weekly Contributor

The beginning of the trial of former Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin, who was charged with killing George Floyd, that touched off worldwide protests and calls for police reform and addressing the issue of systemic racism.

The trial is expected to last for several weeks. It opened with prosecution playing the whole video for the jury – all 9 minutes and 29 seconds of it, complete with audio of Floyd gasping “I can’t breathe” 27 times and witnesses urging Chauvin to get off Floyd’s neck.

Chauvin is charged with second-degree murder, third-degree murder, and second-degree manslaughter. If he’s convicted of the most serious charge, he could face 10½ years to 15 years in prison under sentencing guidelines for first-time offenders.

This trial is being televised; many are expected to watch, as people across the nation and the world grappled with the issues of policing and social justice.

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