With my healthcare background, I can observe signs that other people might not notice. I've seen a movie where an actor had a moment of real intense emotion, causing his face to flush and forehead veins to pop. So I used these skills to see what I could observe in the videos of George Floyd's death. But I dearly hoped that the prosecution would bring in experts to do this and explain in detail what was happening in those final minutes.
Luckily, the prosecution did put an expert on the stand to talk exactly about that. His name is Dr. Martin Tobin. I couldn't place his accent or manner of speaking, with its precision. It turns out that he's Irish, but has worked in the US for decades. (Not enough brogue, sadly.)
His twin specialties are the physics and physiology of breathing and critical care of critically ill patients. He's observed many dying, and knows very well what it looks like. So he was able to observe and explain so much in the videos of George Floyd.
First is that there is no doubt that Floyd died from not getting enough oxygen due to the police restraint on him. Chauvin was responsible for most of that fatal restraint. Floyd was pinned between the pavement and the knees for two officers. His arms were twisted behind his back, His neck was compressed. His left side was compressed. He was trying to draw breath through his compressed throat/trachea into his chest. Basically, he was constrained to breathing with his right lung and little power to expand it except on his right side. And drawing breath through his compressed neck.
His intake of fentanyl wasn't a factor. He showed none of the signs of opiate overdose, that gradual slide into unconsciousness with reduced respiration rate. His respiration rate (breaths per minute) remained normal until his heart stopped. It's possible to see his last breath in this video at 17:22.
With my background I was able to follow just about everything that Dr. Tobin talked about. Here is video of his testimony: part 1, part 2.
A use-of-force expert testified for the defense, and tried to make a good case. However, the prosecutors managed to slice up some of his testimony because officers are required to reevaluate moment-to-moment and provide care as needed to those in custody. The prosecutors were well-prepared and discussed the placement of Chauvin's knees (using stills from the videos) and showing how the crowd wasn't vocal except for one person, nor was it advancing on the police. The video here.
Extras. Another expert concurs with Dr. Tobin. The official autopsy report. What professional journalists report, in contrast to my idiosyncratic view. A key defense witness, an expert on restraint. The prosecution cross-examination, especially at 1:17:18, is masterful. Another key defense witness, a pathologist, is cross-examined with asphyxia being a major topic.
Snopes fact-checks Floyd's criminal history. The jury instructions, directly from the judge, directly to the jury.
A couple of links to body cam footage of George Floyd's arrest and death. Lane. Keung. Thao.
