The judge in the Chauvin trial won't admit statements from Morries Hall, the passenger in George Floyd's car

• Morries Hall has invoked his 5th Amendment right not to testify in Derek Chauvin's trial.

• The judge ruled against admitting statements Hall previously made to investigators at trial.

• The judge will rule Tuesday on whether Hall will be ordered to testify with limitations.

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Judge Peter Cahill will rule Tuesday on whether a man who was in the car with George Floyd on the day of his death will be ordered to testify with limitations in the trial of former Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin.

Morries Hall had invoked his 5th Amendment right not to testify. The defense had asked that statements Hall previously made to investigators be allowed in as evidence if he didn't testify.

Cahill ruled Monday that those previous statements, which mentioned drug use and Floyd's demeanor the day of his death, will not be admissible.

Hall had been sitting in the front passenger seat of a Mercedes SUV with Floyd when police approached him on May 25, 2020, after he was reported to have used a fake $20 bill at Cup Foods.

"Mr. Morries Lester Hall, through undersigned counsel, hereby provides notice to all parties in this matter that if called to testify he will invoke his fifth amendment privilege against self-incrimination," a motion filed in late March from the Office of the Hennepin County Public Defender said.

Chauvin's attorney, Eric Nelson, told jurors in his opening statement that investigators found pill fragments that tested positive for a mixture of methamphetamine and fentanyl in the car. Those drugs were found in Floyd's system after his death.

Cup Foods cashier Christopher Martin testified that after Floyd left the store, his manager asked him to approach Floyd in the car. When he did, a passenger - previously identified as Hall - did most of the talking, Martin said.

Floyd's girlfriend at the time, Courteney Ross, told the court that she believed Hall sold Floyd drugs from time to time and she didn't "particularly like" him.

The ruling was a blow to the defense

Throughout the trial, medical experts called by the prosecution have said drug use was not a factor in Floyd's death.

Hall's previous statements, specifically that Floyd was falling asleep in his car before he was approached by police, thus far would be the only indication to the jury that Floyd's drug use could have had an effect on his health that day.

The prosecution could grant Hall immunity that would compel him to testify, but doesn't plan on it.

"The state is the only party to this that has the availability to offer Mr. Hall immunity and they have, at least in the chambers instructions, offered that they do not intend to offer Mr Hall immunity," Nelson said.

Chauvin, who is charged with murder and manslaughter in Floyd's death, is accused of kneeling on Floyd's neck for more than nine minutes.

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