Derek Chauvin won't testify at own murder trial, defence rests after just 2 days of testimony

The defence at the murder trial of former Officer Derek Chauvin in the death of George Floyd rested its case Thursday
without putting Chauvin on the stand, presenting a total of two days of testimony to the prosecution's two weeks.

Closing arguments are set to begin Monday morning.

Chauvin, 45, informed the court on the 14th day of trial that he would not testify, saying he would invoke his Fifth Amendment right not to take the stand. It would have been the first time Chauvin publicly told his side of the story.

"Is this your decision not to testify?" Hennepin County District Court Judge Peter Cahill asked.

"It is, your honour," Chauvin said.

Prosecution recalls witness

The prosecution briefly recalled a lung and critical care expert to knock down a defence witness's theory that carbon monoxide poisoning from a squad car's exhaust might have contributed to Floyd's death.

WATCH | Derek Chauvin tells court he won't testify

Derek Chauvin won't testify at own murder trial

3 years ago

Duration 2:54

Derek Chauvin, the former Minneapolis police officer charged in the killing of George Floyd, says he won't testify at the trial.

Prosecution witness Dr. Martin Tobinreturned to the stand and testified that hospital tests showed Floyd's carbon monoxide level was at most two per cent, within the normal range.

With that, both sides finished presenting their cases.Cahill reminded the jurors they will be sequestered startingMonday, and said: "If I were you, I would plan for long and hope for short."

Chauvin ison trialon chargesof second-degree unintentional murder,third-degree murderand second-degree manslaughter in connection with the May 25, 2020, death of Floyd, a 46-year-old Black man.

Floyd died after Chauvin, who is white, pressed a knee on the back of his neck and back for aboutnine minutes as two other officers held him face down onthe pavement while he was handcuffed. He had been detained outside a convenience store after being suspected of paying with a counterfeit bill.

The prosecution saysChauvin pressing his knee intoFloyd's neck caused his death. But the defence arguesit was acombination of Floyd's underlying medical conditions, drug useand adrenaline flowing throughhis system that ultimatelykilledhim.

The outcome of the high-profile trial is being closely watched after video of the arrest of Floyd captured by a bystander prompted widespread outrage, setting off protests over race and police brutality across the U.S. and around the world.