Medical Examiner Rules George Floyd’s Death a ‘Homicide’

The Minneapolis medical examiner has released the results of its investigation, stating that George Floyd’s cause of death was “cardiopulmonary arrest complicating law enforcement subdual and neck compression.” This classification makes Floyd’s death a homicide.

As protests continue across the country in response to the death of George Floyd, a 46-year-old Black man in Minneapolis, America, the results of an independent autopsy and medical examiner investigation have been released.

Reuters reported Tuesday morning (June 2) that an independent autopsy conducted at the request of Floyd’s family confirms that he died from asphyxiation during police operations last week.

Dr. Alicia Wilson from the University of Michigan, one of two doctors who performed the autopsy, stated: “The evidence shows that physical asphyxiation was the cause of George Floyd’s violent death.”

During the autopsy, doctors concluded that Floyd “had no underlying medical conditions that contributed to his death, and it was the pressure from police officers’ knees that caused his death.”

These autopsy results differ from the official police autopsy conducted last week. The official autopsy suggested that Floyd died as a result of pressure, pre-existing conditions, and possible alcohol intoxication, with no evidence pointing to death by asphyxiation.

According to Floyd’s family attorney, the asphyxiation resulted not only from officer Derek Chauvin’s knee pressed on Floyd’s neck, but also from the pressure of two other officers’ knees on his back and torso, which prevented blood from reaching the victim’s brain.

Derek Chauvin, the former police officer currently in custody and charged with Floyd’s murder, kept his knee on the victim’s neck for 9 minutes despite Floyd’s pleas that he couldn’t breathe. Floyd died shortly after at the hospital.

Floyd’s family attorney, based on this independent autopsy’s assessment, has demanded that not only Chauvin but also the other officers involved in this fatal incident be prosecuted.

Currently, the other officers involved in the incident have only been removed from their positions, with only Chauvin in custody.

George Floyd was arrested after a store owner accused him of attempting to pay with a counterfeit $20 bill.

Meanwhile, the Minneapolis medical examiner has also stated in its investigation that George Floyd’s death was a “homicide.”

However, the medical examiner’s report also notes that Floyd suffered from heart disease and complications from substance use, including fentanyl and methamphetamine.

America is now one week into widespread anti-racism protests that have turned violent.

On Monday, June 1, U.S. President Donald Trump, during a speech at the White House, called the unrest “domestic terrorism” and urged state governors to take stronger and harsher action.

Trump called himself “the president of law and order” and threatened that if city and state officials did not take necessary measures, he would deploy military troops and would “quickly solve the problem for the officials.”

Nancy Pelosi and Chuck Schumer, the Democratic leaders in the House and Senate, also criticized Trump, stating that he is “fueling division and violence in this country.”

Police statements, Twitter messages, and media reports indicate that since the unrest began last Tuesday, at least 5,600 people have been arrested.

Source: DW