WATCH & COMMENT LIVE: Closing Arguments in Derek Chauvin Trial Begin Today

Seems like the pendulum is swinging away from the Fascist Herr Trump era abuses back to a degree of normalcy. This shows how out of touch the radicalized, fundamentalist right wing nuts are from American Values. Thanks be to God we have a Christian President who believes and lives according to Sacred Scripture and the Constitution. 🇺🇸God Bless Biden-Harris. 🇺🇸God Bless America! 🇺🇸

I watched just about all of the trial (both defense and prosecutor). It was horrifying to watch. I did feel he was guilty and could have done much more to relax the situation. I do have the utmost respect for the majority of the police force. But, there are areas that do need to be addressed. It just doesn't seem right that Mr. Floyd and Mr White were both stopped for minor issues and lost their lives. That needs to be addressed. Is it worth a person's life over a $20 bill or a misdemeanor warrant? I would recommend everyone watch the film 13th (on Netflix). It provides some good information from both sides of the question.

Wanton neglect of human life and complete indifference to the lack of care he was providing for the person he had in his control. He is absolutely guilty of murder as he continued to keep control in force long after it was no longer necessary.

If Chauvin is not found guilty of one of the charges against him, this country will explode in civil unrest - and rightfully so. There has been nothing offered by the defense that can excuse Chauvin’s callous treatment of a big man for no other reason beyond the fact that he could.

The defense’s arguments can be applied to any police misuse of force trial - essentially arguing that any unlawful use of force is justified if the officer thinks that it is necessary. A pretty low bar and one that can never be challenged since any officer involved murder can be justified by the the fact that the officer thought it necessary. Frankly, it would have been more humane for Chauvin to just unload his service revolver instead of torturing George Floyd with painful wrist locks and asphyxiation for more than nine minutes. After all, the officer felt it was necessary.

Whether Floyd was on drugs or not. What ailments he had or not. George was suffocated before our eyes by Chauvin kneeling on his neck. A totally drug free healthy individual would also succumb to this barbaric treatment after nine minutes.

In these three weeks of trial, I have still not heard ANY reason that ANY HUMAN BEING deserves to have someone kneel on their neck for 9.5 minutes. The defense certainly didn't provide any. Whatever your bias or excuse, how is it ok to treat another human being this way?

When I first went to College at Ohio State, I would often drive back to Cleveland to see my future wife-to-be and grace my mother with a weeks worth of laundry. To pay for that trip and to get some spending money for the week I would advertise for passengers to pay $5 one-way or $10 both-way transport. On the way to dropping off my last fare on one trip, I noticed a police car following me; I went through a yellow light and the police rolled through that red light, still following. When a police car was coming from the opposite direction, both cars turned on their flashers and sirens, and the approaching car pulled across the road to block my progress. The officers from both cars drew their guns, pointed them at us and demanded that we stand with our legs and arms spread apart while leaning over with our hands planted on the car roof. They would not let me ask what was going on - demanding that both of us stay motionless with two armed police pointing their revolvers at our backs. We stood like that for the longest 10 minutes of my life while a third officer radioed dispatchers - and I was afraid to even attempt to scratch my nose. They finally came back and apologized because a car of similar make was just reported stolen that had a similar license plate number. We drove off and I never saw that passenger again. … … … I think of this when issues of police use of force come up. We were one accidental gesture, one stupid decision from having to deal with officers capable of exerting deadly force in response. Police do need to take charge of the situation in response to a potential criminal act and need to assure that their authority is not challenged. The problem comes from the fact that the police have the crutch of being able to threaten use deadly force in any situation as a way of quickly assuring that their authority is not challenged. This includes both weapons and tactics. When this ‘crutch’ is the first means used to ensure control - even when unwarranted, it can and has been unnecessarily and sometimes unintentionally misused when a detainee dares to ask why, or has some problem, or does something stupid. Some officers use their authority to vindictively punish detainees for their ‘disrespect’ - without considering that their ‘disrespect’ was not disrespect at all, but an appeal for help. … … … I think that the initial use of force should never be permitted to exceed that needed to address the potential crime - and that any officer that violates this principle be disciplined. This would prevent a lot of the excessive force issues since it would be a little more difficult to escalate to an unwarranted and unnecessary lethal force.

We all watched this man be murdered... It's deplorable. He is obviously guilty.

“You were told… that Mr. Floyd died… because his heart was too big. You heard that testimony. And now having seen all the evidence, having heard all the evidence, you know the truth, and the truth of the matter is that the reason George Floyd is dead is because Mr. Chauvin’s heart was too small.”

Chavin's team did not put up any credible defense.

It’s time for white supremacists, with or without a uniform that my tax dollars pay for, to be held accountable

What is the defense? 1. Floyd’s drug use. 2. Necessary use of force looked worse than it was. 3.Carbon Monoxide poisoning from the vehicle. 4. Bystanders were threats to Chauvin distracting him from rendering aid. Good try. (I could go in depth to dispute each of the above, but I will spare the reader. If you can’t see why he doesn’t have a defense, I’m not going to change your mind, because you’re just like him & part of the problem!) The evidence shows that his “heart and lungs stopped. That occurred during law enforcement subdual, restraint, and neck compression." We saw it with our own eyes!!!

I’ve watched the entire trial. There is NO doubt in my mind that he is guilty. I have always dreaded being called for a murder trial because I would hate to make the wrong decision. I wouldn’t mind being a juror on this one. It is clear beyond any reasonable doubt. HE IS GUILTY!

I think Chauvin is RESPONSIBLE for Floyd’s death and the rest of us are guilty for allowing police brutality to continue. Nobody has any innocence from this point forward. If Chauvin is not convicted we shall see a summer like no other. Deservedly so.

After being on a few juries in my life I am not going to try to give a verdict. As a juror you watch the faces of both the prosecution and the defense witnesses, lawyers and the same on the prosecution side. Watching the closing statements don't do justice to what is happening in the entire courtroom.

Maxine should be removed from office for inciting a riot. You know,the very same thing she tried impeaching Trump for.

No! Unfortunate accident. These were Democrat Policies and funds taken away! Please retrain people in these agencies in order to do what you want them to do your. As Power must be controlled our way!

He was guilty from the start, we saw the evidence ourselves. Floyd repeatedly said he couldn’t breathe, yet Chauvin continued. It’s a clear sign that he was slowly killing him. Let’s make sure he faces justice.

Absolutely he is guilty! The state presented a compelling and passionate case supported by strong accredited and believable witnesses and their individual testimonies! The repudiation by fellow police officers of their own was key for me! If nothing else beyond the legal guilt he faces is the unmasked inhumane treatment of Mr Floyd without remorse and absolute prejudice by the police! The fear highlighted by mr Floyd made me weep at how gut wrenching the actual depraved kneeling on the neck and the defense’s victimization of Mr Floyd and audacity it was his fault for having “a big heart”, heart disease (poor nutrition) and opioid use (addiction)! It is sad that this case has so magnified the police and entire justice system betrayal of American ideals as written in this nation very own constitution. The lack of value and worth for a person of color is condemnable by those who participate in the humiliation and painful practice of racial bigotry and prejudice for fellow human beings and American citizens. Mr Floyd was born in America and was murdered in America by law enforcement officer and system that failed to see him as a person rather than a foot stool upon which to rest a heavy knee upon with prejudice and extreme malice! The facts of the case and evidence says he is guilty but common decency and humanity says the absence of humanity sealed his guilt after his 9:29 of suffering made him expired.