NOW: Judge reads jury instructions ahead of Derek Chauvin trial closing arguments

The protection offered its witness and professional testimony final week within the trial of former Minneapolis Police officer Derek Chauvin.

The protection’s flip earlier than the jury got here Tuesday when the prosecution rested after calling 38 witnesses over 11 days. Jurors heard testimony from seven witnesses for the protection.

Here are highlights from the ultimate week of testimony:

The protection’s three-prong authorized technique: The protection offered seven witnesses to bolster its three-prong strategy for clearing the officer of culpability: Floyd died from drug and well being issues; Chauvin’s use of pressure was ugly however applicable; and a hostile crowd of bystanders distracted the previous officer.

At the center of protection lawyer Eric Nelson’s case is the argument that medical causes, not Chauvin’s actions, brought on Floyd’s dying that night. In different phrases, Floyd’s use of methamphetamine and fentanyl, his preliminary resistance to officers and preexisting coronary heart issues all conspired to kill him.

Hennepin County Medical Examiner Dr. Andrew Baker, who carried out Floyd’s post-mortem final May, had beforehand testified for the prosecution that Floyd’s dying was a “homicide.” The trigger of dying was cardiopulmonary arrest — Floyd’s coronary heart and lungs stopped. That occurred throughout “law enforcement subdual, restraint, and neck compression,” the doctor testified.

Four other medical experts offered similar testimony for the state: Floyd died from cardiopulmonary arrest brought on by low oxygen ranges from susceptible restraint and positional asphyxia. A heart specialist testified that Floyd’s coronary heart confirmed no proof of damage.

Expert testified that Chauvin’s actions have been justified: Barry Brodd, a former police officer and use-of-force professional referred to as by the protection on Tuesday, testified that Chauvin was justified in kneeling on Floyd for greater than 9 minutes and didn’t use lethal pressure.

Brodd’s testimony was at odds with the prosecution’s policing consultants and Minneapolis Police Chief Medaria Arradondo, who mentioned Chauvin’s actions have been “in no way, shape or form” inside division coverage, coaching, ethics or values.

Pulmonologist takes the stand a second time: Dr. Martin Tobin, a pulmonologist who testified last week, returned to the stand Thursday for the prosecution in a brief rebuttal in opposition to a protection medical professional. The state sought to counter the testimony of a forensic pathologist who advised the jury Wednesday that Floyd’s trigger of dying was “undetermined.” Floyd’s underlying coronary heart points have been the principle causes, the pathologist mentioned.

Dr. David Fowler, who retired as Maryland’s chief medical expert on the finish of 2019, launched a novel protection argument: Carbon monoxide from the squad automobile’s exhaust might have contributed to Floyd’s dying. Fowler admitted no knowledge or take a look at outcomes may again up his declare. Tobin, in a brief rebuttal, advised the jury the carbon monoxide principle is confirmed incorrect by a distinct blood take a look at that confirmed Floyd’s blood oxygen saturation was 98%. That meant his carbon monoxide stage may at most be 2% — inside the regular vary.