Good morning all and thanks for participating. Mega thanks to Boise Blue for her researching and posting the George Floyd Memorial pictures in the DKos photo library. We’ve all had enough of the dead eyes of the sociopath.
Yesterday was a demonstration as to the effect of not only a brilliant expert witness, but one who was charming, had good contact with the jurors, and without being surly, dismantled Defense Attorney Nelson’s cross examination and re-cross. Some day I’ll use Mr. Google to find Nelson’s first name. [later: alamancedem finds it’s Eric.]
Dr. Martin Tobin was stellar. I did a short description in yesterday’s Liveblog II: Day 9 of the Chauvin Murder Trial. Anyone who watched now has a major crush on him. Positively brilliant.
Next was Daniel Isenschmidt, forensic toxicologist from NMS Labs in PA. Same Lab a previous witness works, Susan Nieth (sp?). I admit to zoning out. I don’t do anything that involves graphs and numbers. Mostly on the amounts of fentanyl and meth in Mr. Floyd’s blood — remarkably low levels when compared to living and dead DUIs with either or both drugs in their blood. He remarked on the accuracy of testing hospital blood — taken shortly after death — as opposed to autopsy specimens. Sorry, that’s about all I understood. I did appreciate the witness’s correcting Nelson multiple times.
Interim drama. Nelson was flipping out about a packet of slides from the prosecution. He claimed he didn’t get the updated packet and that he had spent more than a few nanoseconds on preparation using the outdated packet. Prosecution said they sent the updated slides on April 6th. Then he went into hyperventilation in a nanosecond over pdf files and other crazy stuff. Judge Cahill, ever the moderating voice, was smoothing things over and said things can be straightened out. Then Nelson declared it was his fault — Brownie Points for the admission and all was well in speed of light-land. He has what appears to be a cold — losing his voice and wiping his nose with his fingers. The lectern needs to be hosed down with Lysol.
Last witness Dr. Bill Smock (flight deadline so testimony had to be done that day). Worked at a Level One Trauma Center in Louisville. Stated that the Hennepin Medical Center where Mr. Floyd was taken is also level one, meaning where you want to go with a traumatic injury. Ages ago I remember a comparison between Washington D.C. and Baltimore regarding gun shot wounds and homicides. B’more had more gunshot wounds but fewer deaths because of the level one University of Maryland Trauma Center.
Dr. Smock now works as a police surgeon. Very likeable, seemed to have good rapport with the jury, but no one ever again in the history of the world will be as perfect as Dr. Martin Tobin. Dr. Smock was qualified as a witness. He has a specialty in asphyxia from varying multiple means. His opinion is that Mr. Floyd died of positional asphyxia. His testimony was similar to Dr. Tobin’s by ruling out other possible causes. He did go into “excited delerium” which is very controversial. He explained there are reputable medical bodies (AMA, APA) who didn’t believe it was a thing but he does. Important for the prosecution to present since the Defense really thinks it is a thing — like one of their many theories as to what killed Mr. Floyd. Dr. Smock showed 10 manifestations of excited delerium and said you may have it if you display 6 of them. He said Mr. Floyd displayed none.
I had to attend to baby back ribs and am very grateful to zebz monkey for spontaneously taking expert control of the liveblog yesterday afternoon.
As always, thanks to all who participate and add to the discussion.
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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
Liveblog I: Day Nine Chauvin Murder Trial
Liveblog II: Day Nine Chauvin Murder Trial