There were 2 autopsies done. Both of them determined the manner of death as homicide. The ME ruled the cause of death as cardiac arrest due to restraint and neck compression. The private autopsy ruled the cause of death to be traumatic asphyxiation. They also found bruises that are consistent with forceable restraint.
There was clearly intent to kill, even though the charge of 2nd degree murder doesn’t require it in this case. Chauvin was charged with felony murder. That means that a person was killed during the commission of a felony. Chauvin committed assault, and Floyd died as a result. That is felony murder, intent not required.
If a person is handcuffed, held down by his neck, and pleading that he can’t breathe, what would you call his resulting death? Chauvin was told many times that Floyd was in distress, both by Floyd and the people watching. That’s like holding a person under water till they drown and then claiming you had no intention of killing them. Chauvin did something that any reasonable person would know can lead to death. He had no valid reason for restraining him, therefore any claims that Floyd’s death was an accident are BS. He clearly intended to harm George Floyd, and he died as a result. When Floyd said he couldn’t breathe, chauvin actually pressed harder. Floyd was calling out for his mama. When a grown man begs for his mama, something is seriously wrong! People in the crowd were begging chauvin to stop and saying that he’s killing him. People were yelling at chauvin that Floyd was unconscious and bleeding. He still didn’t stop. For several minutes, the crowd was screaming at him and telling him Floyd was unconscious and possibly dead. He continued to kneel on him and talk smack. Chauvin showed blatant disregard for human life. Of all the officer involved deaths I’ve ever heard of, this is the most clear case of murder I’ve ever seen.
Anyone who thinks George Floyd’s death was justified, accidental or somehow not intentional probably hasn’t seen the full video. Floyd was clearly not resisting arrest or posing a threat to anyone, so any use of force was wrong. Chauvin was absolutely aware that Floyd was hurting, having trouble breathing, then unconscious. People were screaming for someone to check his pulse, and nobody did. When chauvin realized Floyd was unconscious, he still didn’t stop. He still had his knee held on Floyd’s neck while the ambulance arrived, an EMT checked his pulse, and brought a stretcher. He didn’t get off him until the EMT had the stretcher next to him. He then forcefully yanked him off the ground and flipped him onto the stretcher.
Even if other factors contributed to his death, chauvin was fully aware that Floyd was dying from his restraint, yet he still continued. Chauvin showed zero concern for Floyd’s life. He continued his hold after the ambulance arrived, meaning he knew he was causing serious harm and kept doing it anyway. This is one of the most disturbing things I’ve ever seen. The video makes it very clear that chauvin intended to kill Floyd and the other officers made sure nobody could stop him. Chauvin is clearly a murderer, and the other cops knew exactly what he was doing and stood guard so nobody could stop it or help Floyd.
To anyone who has seen the full video and still thinks those cops aren’t guilty of murder: what if this happened to someone you love? Wouldn’t you want the cops to care if he lives or dies? They knew he was dying, they showed no concern, and didn’t stop killing him, even when the EMT was trying to help him. Anyone who sides with the cops in this case is a heartless person with no value for human life. This was not accidental, justified, or unclear. This is the most obvious case of police brutality and murder I’ve ever seen.