Derek Chauvin, the former Minneapolis cop found guilty of second-degree unintentional murder in George Floyd’s death, is appealing for a new trial.
Back in 2023, the Minneapolis Court of Appeals had already shot down a request for a new trial.
In his filing, it’s noted that Dr. Andrew Baker conducted the autopsy on George Floyd just a day after he passed and concluded that he died from “cardiopulmonary arrest, complicating law enforcement subdual, restraint, and neck compression,” but didn’t find any signs of asphyxia.
Four other doctors who looked over Baker’s findings claimed Floyd died from asphyxia. However, Chauvin argues that their conclusions were based on video footage of Floyd being restrained by the officers in Minneapolis.
According to the filing, Chauvin brought in a team of physicians from the Forensic Panel who are prepared to testify that the methods used by the doctors who testified during the trial “is not generally accepted in the scientific community.”
He also hired a forensic analyst from Critical Incident Review to point out the limitations of the video evidence in this case.
Chauvin’s filing claims he was denied his right to due process due to the actions taken by the court.
Dr. Martin Tobin, a top expert in respiratory science, testified as an expert witness for the state during the trial without any payment for his testimony.
Dr. Tobin stated that after reviewing medical records and videos of the fatal arrest, he determined Floyd “died from a low level of oxygen” which led to brain damage and a PEA (pulseless electrical activity) arrhythmia, resulting in his heart stopping.
Chauvin is currently serving time at the Federal Correctional Institution in Big Spring, Texas, and is scheduled for release from federal prison in November 2037.
