FOG BLOG U.S. NEWS LOG: NEW DEVELOPMENTS IN THE DEREK CHAUVIN TRIAL:

The Minneapolis Police Department’s coordinator on the use of force told jurors on Tuesday the neck restraint applied by former policeman Derek Chauvin in the deadly arrest of George Floyd was unauthorized and that officers are trained to use the least amount of force necessary.

Prosecutors in Chauvin’s murder trial presented two witnesses to try to further illustrate that he disregarded training on the appropriate use of force and dealing with crisis situations when he knelt on Floyd’s neck for more than nine minutes. The handcuffed 46-year-old Black man fell limp and stopped breathing during the May 2020 arrest.

Steve Schleicher, one of prosecuting attorneys, showed Lieutenant Johnny Mercil, who teaches the proper use of force for the department, a photograph of Chauvin kneeling on Floyd’s neck and asked if he was using an authorized neck restraint under the circumstances.

“I would say no,” Lieutenant Mercil testified.

Chauvin, who is white, has pleaded not guilty to murder and manslaughter charges for Floyd’s arrest on suspicion that Floyd had used a fake $20 bill to buy cigarettes at a store. The incident prompted protests in cities across the United States and around the world against racism and police brutality. Here is some testimony and highlights from court on Tuesday: