Good morning. The trial is scheduled to begin at 9:15 CDT, 10:15 EDT, 8:15 MDT, and 7:15 PDT.
Yesterday began with resuming the Prosecution’s direct questioning of LAPD expert witness Sgt. Stiger. His conclusion was that Chauvin used excessive force. He was pretty much in agreement with all of the Mpl. and MN State witnesses who addressed training and policy issues. The Defense cross was all over the place, I can’t even capture it without a few shots of Jamesons and I’m not drinking right now. This was Nelson’s first attempt at translating Mr. Floyd’s difficult to understand words as, “I ate too many drugs.” Stiger said twice that he didn’t hear that. Neither did I. I didn’t know what he said at this point.
On redirect and new to me, we discover that Officer Lane called in a Code 4 which means things are ok and suspect is in custody. What that actually meant is that Chauvin and Thao should have taken a ride somewhere else. I kept misspelling Officer Keong’s name. It sounded like Kane to me. Sloppy of me.
Next witness Special Agent James Reyerson from MN Bureau of Criminal Apprehension (BCA). They respond to questionable use of force cases. New info: BCA found an envelope with two $20 in the back of the squad car. One assumes confiscated at some point from Floyd. One bill was torn which coincides with the testimony of the Cup Foods’ clerk who said the woman in Floyd’s car ripped one and threw it out the window.
Nelson on cross brings up the “I ate too many drugs” routine. First hearing, Reyerson says he couldn’t understand it. With some prodding and a second hearing Reyerson agrees that is what Floyd said. Ugh. On redirect the Prosecutor played the audio in context with what the cops said and then Reyerson said it was “I ain’t do no drugs.” Other commenters in the diary heard the latter. I have a tin ear for languages, accents, dialects. Nelson wasted an enormous amount of time on hypotheticals that have nothing to do with the case, a/c in a hybrid to explain the liquid — not urine — but that was clarified last week. And something else I’ve thankfully forgotten.
Next witness, MacKenzie (sp?) Anderson, BCA forensic scientist. She checked the site, then, when the cars were towed to the lot, she checked the cars. The first time was May 27, 2020 — then asked to check again in December 2020 at the request of the Defense through the AG’s office. This was for pills and blood. Pills contained fentanyl and meth. No cross examination.
Next witness, badass Breahna Giles, forensic scientist with BCA. The prosecutor was quick on the uptake with her and corrected his questioning. Ask specific questions — don’t try to be a scientist. She is the one who tested the tablets. She is precise to the enth degree. Oh, please, please, cross examine her. And Nelson did. I think it was one question similar to can pills be square?
Next witness, Susan Neith, forensic chemist at MMS lab in PA. She did quantitative analysis on the pills — how much fentanyl/meth. Then it was over my head. No Cross and that was it for the day.
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For the first trial day there was a liveblog that developed in a Front Page diary. I can’t remember if it was one of Joan’s or Laura’s. I didn’t pick up until the afternoon of Day Two.
Liveblog II: Day Two Chauvin Murder Trial
Liveblog I: Day Three Chauvin Murder Trial
Liveblog II: Day Three Chauvin Murder Trial
Liveblog I: Day Four Chauvin Murder Trial
Liveblog II: Day Four Chauvin Murder Trial
Liveblog I: Day Five Chauvin Murder Trial (Good Friday, Half Day)
Liveblog I: Day Six Chauvin Murder Trial
Liveblog II: Day Six Chauvin Murder Trial
Liveblog I: Day Seven Chauvin Murder Trial
Liveblog II: Day Seven Chauvin Murder Trial
Liveblog I: Day Eight Chauvin Murder Trial
Liveblog II: Day Eight Chauvin Murder Trial