According to a doctor testifying at the trial of ex-police officer Derek Chauvin in Minneapolis, George Floyd died from a lack of oxygen while being pinned “in a vice” against the street during his arrest.
Mr Floyd died of asphyxia as a result of the way he was restrained, according to intensive care doctor Martin Tobin.
During his arrest last May, Mr Chauvin, 45, was filmed kneeling on Mr Floyd’s neck for more than nine minutes.
The ex-officer is on trial for murder and has pleaded not guilty.
The video of Mr Chauvin, who is white, placing his knee on the neck of Mr Floyd, who is African-American, sparked worldwide protests against racism.
The trial is in its second week and will last at least one month. The defense is scheduled to present its case next week.
The prosecution in Mr Chauvin’s case has begun hearing from medical experts.
When asked about the placement of the handcuffs behind Mr Floyd’s back, as well as the downward pressure of Mr Chauvin’s weight against him, Dr Tobin, a pulmonary medicine expert, stated that Mr Floyd’s ability to expand his chest was severely hampered.
He stated that it was his medical opinion that Mr Floyd died as a result of a low level of oxygen in his blood.
“Because [George Floyd] is pressed up against the street, the street plays a significant role in preventing him from expanding his chest.”
“Because he’s against a hard asphalt street, the way they’re pushing down on his handcuffs combined with the street… it’s like the left side is in a vice.”
The placement of the handcuffs, according to Dr. Tobin, was also significant.
“It’s how and where they’re being pushed that completely interfere with central features of how we breathe.”
Dr. Tobin stated that Mr Chauvin’s knee was pressed against the left side of Mr Floyd’s chest, making it “almost… as if a surgeon had gone in and removed the [left] lung.” “Not quite, but something along those lines.”
“He has depleted his resources and is literally trying to breathe with his fingers and knuckles against the street to crank up his chest and get air into his right lung,” he added.
On the ninth day of Mr Chauvin’s trial in Minneapolis, Minnesota, Dr. Tobin used video footage taken during Mr Floyd’s arrest to provide his medical opinion.
The main medical examiner, who performed the county-commissioned autopsy, is not expected to testify in court until Friday.
On Wednesday, the Minneapolis police chief testified that Mr Chauvin violated the agency’s force policy during Mr Floyd’s arrest.
Mr Chauvin’s restraint of Mr Floyd, according to Medaria Arradondo, was not in line with training and “certainly not part of our ethics and values.”
According to defense attorney Eric Nelson, an officer’s actions must be judged from the perspective of an officer on the scene, not in retrospect.
Mr Floyd’s efforts to resist arrest, according to the defense, necessitated the restraint.
It has also claimed that Mr Floyd’s death was caused by alleged drug use and an underlying heart condition.
