Defense expert witness Dr. David Fowler, a retired forensic pathologist, was the only person to testify on Wednesday in the trial of former police officer Derek Chauvin.
Here is what he said:
- Fowler said that it was his opinion that Chauvin's knee did not impact any of George Floyd's "vital structures" of his neck. Other witness who testified for the prosecution earlier in the trial said they think the prone position and the weight on Floyd's back interfered with his ability to breathe.
- During questioning by the defense, Fowler said that carbon monoxide poisoning from the exhaust of the squad car may have contributed to Floyd's death. Prosecutors asked if it was true that he has not "seen any data, or test results, that showed Mr. Floyd had a single injury from carbon monoxide." Fowler answered, "Yes, true."
- Fowler testified that it was his opinion that the cause of death should be "undetermined" because there were "so many conflicting different potential mechanisms of death." Previously, Hennepin County Medical Examiner Dr. Andrew Baker ruled that Floyd's death was a homicide and that Chauvin's restraint and compression of Floyd's neck were the primary causes of Floyd's death.
- Fowler said that Floyd should have received "immediate emergency attention" to reverse the cardiac arrest he was experiencing during the arrest.
What else you need to know:
- Judge Peter Cahill ruled that Morries Hall, who was in the car with Floyd when police first confronted him, will not testify. Hall appeared this morning and invoked his Fifth Amendment right not to incriminate himself.
- Cahill rejected a motion by the defense to acquit Chauvin. Defense lawyer Eric Nelson argued that prosecutors had not proven their case.