
A lot happened in the trial of ex-Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin today: The judge denied the prosecution's request to present "new evidence," both sides rested and the jury went into recess for a long weekend.
If you're just reading in now, here's how the morning unfolded:
- Chauvin chose not to testify: At the start of court proceedings today, Chauvin said he would invoke his Fifth Amendment right and would not testify in his own defense. Chauvin told the court he understood he had the option to testify, but will not.
- The prosecution's request was denied: Judge Peter Cahill rejected a prosecution request to present "new evidence" during a rebuttal case of “blood gas readings” regarding carbon monoxide levels found in George Floyd’s blood. The judge reached a compromise with the prosecution, saying they could discuss Floyd's oxygen levels instead — but said if prosecutors brought up the test results at all, a mistrial would be ruled.
- The prosecutor's witness was on a "short leash" in rebuttal testimony: The prosecution called Dr. Martin Tobin, a pulmonologist, as a rebuttal witness to rebut the testimony of defense expert witness Dr. David Fowler, a retired forensic pathologist. During the testimony, Tobin said Fowler was "simply wrong" on Floyd’s carbon monoxide level. CNN legal analyst Laura Coates explained Tobin was "on the shortest, tightest leash possible" to ensure the judge did not declare a mistrial.
- Both sides rested: Following the rebuttal testimony, both the defense and prosecution rested. Judge Cahill said closing arguments would begin on Monday, and adjourned the trial for a long weekend. The jury will be back at 10 a.m. ET Monday.