MN - George Floyd, 46, unarmed, killed in police custody, Minneapolis, 25 May 2020 *arrests* #2

[thefragile7393]

I believe it's standard operating procedure to isolate high profile inmates at risk of being attacked. I also think it's pretty common for high profile inmates to be put on suicide watch. I don't think the inmate needs to be truly suicidal. Anyone deemed high risk is likely placed in isolation for their safety. I think of people like Dylan Roof, James Holmes (Colorado Movie Theater Shooter), Nikolas Cruz. These are all high risk inmates who were placed in isolation and on suicide watch from the get go.

You are correct

I completely agree with you, @mickey2942. Unfortunately, Officer Chauvin thought his badge was a license to kill.

I am chilled to the bone every time I see his face in the video(s). Never have I looked into the eyes of a man with such evil superiority, daring the onlookers to stop him. He knew exactly what he was doing. He heard the pleas from Mr. Floyd- and yet he continued, without a care in the world.

I would be curious to know how many other officers in the department have marks on their records for unnecessary force? Clearly; if the mayor forbids officers not to place their knees on a subject's back or neck- there is a reason for it. I continue to be completely astounded that not one of the officers on scene made any attempt to end the situation before it was too late.

likely they were afraid of him. There’s so much pressure to form that blue wall and not turn on your fellow officers. If you do, you face serious consequences. I think of the case of Doyle Wheeler on Unsolved Mysteries many years ago and I know there has to have to have been some other examples of the consequences cops can face for speaking out.
It’s indoctrinated in them. You can see in the videos that they did what he said, no questions asked, like it was something well known to them. Same reasoning when soldiers go on trial for war crimes-you obey, no questions asked. This isn’t excusing their actions, I’m just someone who looks at why people do what they do to try and figure out the thinking that leads to actions

 

[margarita25]

Tiger Woods releases statement on George Floyd's death and protests

Tiger Woods (@TigerWoods) on Twitter

“Magic Johnson, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and LeBron James also are among the athletes who have either released statements, made social media posts or written about the protests and why they have struck a nerve in America.”

—-

Boxing champ Floyd Mayweather will pay for George Floyd's funeral, ESPN reports

—-

George Floyd protests across America: Live updates

 

[CrimeDawg123]

In some posts, the presence of fentanyl and methamphetamine in GF was mentioned. I want to say that even if so, it by any means is NOT the reason to mistreat a person in police custody. What if a person is drunk of high on pot (legal substances)? Drank 6 cups of coffee? What if he is on prescription drugs?

Drug addiction is an illness. Like alcoholism. Nothing gives us the right to mete out judgment, especially in such a horrible way.

Exactly. It doesn't matter why a person might be impaired - drugs, alcohol, mental illness, insulin reaction, head injury... - there is no time ever when it would have been OK for an officer to press his knee onto the person's neck for nearly 9 minutes. In fact, helping deal with impaired people is one of the reasons we have police officers, and why they should be able to safely get someone in custody.

 

[CrimeDawg123]

Today is the day for three more arrests.

 

[dixiegirl1035]

I hadn't looked at the family fundraisers in a couple of days.. they have more than doubled in 2-3 days, and they are now up to $9 million.

 

[DD8]

Justice for George | Floyd's family to march to City Hall this week

 

[Cubby]

If left as is, I think the sentence is 25 years. Maybe he would take 20, but I'm not sure a deal would even be offered. I wish he would just man up, plead guilty, take the 25 and be done with it.

Me too, but he won't. He looks perplexed in his mug shot, as if this was just some temporary formality until he gets away with this type of behavior again.....

I hope when it comes to trial the prosecution points out how many times he had the opportunity to change his course of action, but chose not too.

 

[Gardenista]

Me too, but he won't. He looks perplexed in his mug shot, as if this was just some temporary formality until he gets away with this type of behavior again.....

I hope when it comes to trial the prosecution points out how many times he had the opportunity to change his course of action, but chose not too.

Yeah, I can see profound silence during a closing argument where the prosecutor is kneeling on the neck of a lifesized replica of George for 8 very long minutes.

This guy is toast--he needs to man up for his prison sentence.

 

[mickey2942]

Same with my husband (CO). He was apoplectic watching the video (I advised him not to). We have a few police officer acquaintances as well and they are all in agreement Chauvin murdered Floyd. I dont blame anyone not wanting to watch but it's poor form refusing to and then suggesting everyone could be misinterpreting what occurred. Pretty much everyone from the local prosecutor to Trey Gowdy to civil rights activists are unanimous that the footage showed a murder, what more does anyone need? I dont think there's ever been a more unanimous opinion on something like this. Watch the video or hush. JMO.

What I think is particularly damming is the length of time. All a jury needs to do is sit there in silence looking at that picture of Mr. Floyd for the entire length of time. The video is chilling. But the time. That is what really hit home to me.

The officers who were there, need to face some sort of charges for not doing any intervention. A message needs to be sent, stay silent, pay the consequences. That would go a long way to start changing the culture of silence.

And officers should be empowered to say why they don't want a specific partner.

Of course, as I write this, I know that it won't happen.

 

[Cubby]

Today is the day for three more arrests.

Three more arrests, up the charges, police chief and union rep should be fired or resign.

Heads need to roll here. Measly 3rd degree murder charges against a single perpetrator is no where near enough.

 

[kaen]

Me too, but he won't. He looks perplexed in his mug shot, as if this was just some temporary formality until he gets away with this type of behavior again.....

I hope when it comes to trial the prosecution points out how many times he had the opportunity to change his course of action, but chose not too.

I think he looks perplexed because he thought the union would/will save him. When I read the letter the president sent yesterday with "no due process" and his earlier "rush to judgment", I think this killer thought that he would be cleared and that the noise of protest would not rise. He didn't count on the fact that the video would be so damning. He didn't count on the fact that with many people on pause from their daily life that they would have the time to react to the horror (I am not talking about the looters/rioters but more like every day people who are still quarantined in their communities.) The tide of anger was rising with Mr. Arbery and Ms. Taylor. Ms Taylor (which has gotten so little notice outside of her area) was killed and they tried to blame the fiancee for shooting at the police-- but they weren't announced and the man was defending his home like millions of Americans say they would do. The timing was ripe for civil unrest with one more thing on the pile.

 

[MsBetsy]

Did Chauvin know GF didn't have a pulse? My impression is that he didn't even care to find out. Just like Thao didn't even care to look. Then he could truthfully say that he didn't see anything.

GF wasn't Chauvin's collar, and he was the last officer to the scene. But somehow he was in charge.

Yes, one of the officers did check for a pulse and found he didn't have one. Chauvin continued to kneel on his neck for nearly 3 more minutes while Thao stood guard and kept the people away who were desperately trying to help.

 

[SleuthBee]

Reading his letter, I am trying to reconcile the 8+ minute video with his issue of Mr. Floyd's "violent" past when I doubt they had access to that information so quickly.

Most squad cars are equipped with MDTs (Mobile Data Terminals) connected to a main computer. With a license plate number or name, they can pull up offender records, prior incidents as well as MV information.

When viewing the video prior to GF’s death, at the point where GF is sitting on the ground against the wall. When the second car arrives, the officer with GF reaches into his shirt pocket for his notepad. He writes a message for the arriving officer who then returns to his car.

I believe the officer wrote something prompting him to pull up everything on GF. Soon after GF was escorted to the squad car, that officer exits his car and makes contact with the arresting officers. I believe that was the point when GF was deemed unworthy of humane treatment. They radioed for additional backup—enter Derek Chauvin. Prior to this, GF was at least treated humanely. It appears that their equation is Race = level of caution and Race + priors = level of doom

From experience working with LE. The commissioner issued a direct order to all troops stating that any conduct less than respectful of the citizens would NOT be tolerated. To him, this was essential to gain respect and instill department pride. I joke that if pulled over, the officer will present in proper uniform and address you respectfully (yes sir, no ma'am). And all the while writing up a costly citation. In this case, and despite appearances, there appears to be a systemic problem. Chauvin’s prior complaints are marked as no disciplinary action taken.

ETA: clarity

 

[drama_farmer]

I ask anyone who is claustrophobic or prone to anxiety, what are the chances that you'd ingest meth or any substance that is known to drive paranoia and anxiety?

severely snipped by me to answer this question only.

As a person who has been in recovery from various substances for about 13 years, the quick answer is: YES.

I've been plagued by a fairly high baseline anxiety since, well, forever. I sought out substances to treat what was, at times, overwhelming and irrational anxiety. I wasn't a big fan of "uppers" but if given the opportunity to try speed (in pill form) or coke (powder) I can't recall ever turning that opportunity down. When I ended up feeling worse, I would be left with the question: Why? Why did I do that?
At the time, I couldn't understand it, since feeling paranoid and anxious was the state I was seeking to remedy.

It wasn't until I realized I was an alcoholic that it finally made sense to me. I was looking for ANY way to alter my consciousness. It's a thing with people like me.

I can't express how lucky (blessed?) I was to have never run across heroin, because if I had, I would have fallen in love with it and it would have killed me.

It's difficult for those who have never suffered from substance or alcohol abuse to understand, but that's okay! Thanks for asking the question.

All of the above is IMO and IME (in my experience)

 

[Charlot123]

Same with my husband (CO). He was apoplectic watching the video (I advised him not to). We have a few police officer acquaintances as well and they are all in agreement Chauvin murdered Floyd. I dont blame anyone not wanting to watch but it's poor form refusing to and then suggesting everyone could be misinterpreting what occurred. Pretty much everyone from the local prosecutor to Trey Gowdy to civil rights activists are unanimous that the footage showed a murder, what more does anyone need? I dont think there's ever been a more unanimous opinion on something like this. Watch the video or hush. JMO.

BTW, we should say thank you to the passerbys who made the videos. They risked, as the police was armed, and angry, but they showed us what could happen to so many.

Once upon a time, everyone has to see these videos.

The officers roughing up Floyd in the police car have to be prosecuted as well.

 

[CrimeDawg123]

severely snipped by me to answer this question only.

As a person who has been in recovery from various substances for about 13 years, the quick answer is: YES.

I've been plagued by a fairly high baseline anxiety since, well, forever. I sought out substances to treat what was, at times, overwhelming and irrational anxiety. I wasn't a big fan of "uppers" but if given the opportunity to try speed (in pill form) or coke (powder) I can't recall ever turning that opportunity down. When I ended up feeling worse, I would be left with the question: Why? Why did I do that?
At the time, I couldn't understand it, since feeling paranoid and anxious was the state I was seeking to remedy.

It wasn't until I realized I was an alcoholic that it finally made sense to me. I was looking for ANY way to alter my consciousness. It's a thing with people like me.

I can't express how lucky (blessed?) I was to have never run across heroin, because if I had, I would have fallen in love with it and it would have killed me.

It's difficult for those who have never suffered from substance or alcohol abuse to understand, but that's okay! Thanks for asking the question.

All of the above is IMO and IME (in my experience)

Thank you very much @drama_farmer for sharing your story and perspective

 

[Charlot123]

severely snipped by me to answer this question only.

As a person who has been in recovery from various substances for about 13 years, the quick answer is: YES.

I've been plagued by a fairly high baseline anxiety since, well, forever. I sought out substances to treat what was, at times, overwhelming and irrational anxiety. I wasn't a big fan of "uppers" but if given the opportunity to try speed (in pill form) or coke (powder) I can't recall ever turning that opportunity down. When I ended up feeling worse, I would be left with the question: Why? Why did I do that?
At the time, I couldn't understand it, since feeling paranoid and anxious was the state I was seeking to remedy.

It wasn't until I realized I was an alcoholic that it finally made sense to me. I was looking for ANY way to alter my consciousness. It's a thing with people like me.

I can't express how lucky (blessed?) I was to have never run across heroin, because if I had, I would have fallen in love with it and it would have killed me.

It's difficult for those who have never suffered from substance or alcohol abuse to understand, but that's okay! Thanks for asking the question.

All of the above is IMO and IME (in my experience)

One of my areas of interest.

1) it is self-medication of untreated depression, anxiety, ADHD, bipolar, and other things

2) relapses, too...if someone feels depressed and reaches for his Prozac, another one would reach for his booze, or heroin. It is their Prozac.

3) cross-addiction amply proves what I say. The person is clean, but the mental problem is still there, another drug is often used as the substitute.

4) One thing...you may be lucky that you never ran across heroin, or, it would have done nothing to you. I had three surgeries and enough painkillers. I hated them. No fun that people spoke about, and tons of side effects. I tried to switch over to Tylenol on day 2. Not my merit, nor good choice...just my genetic makeup.

5) there is a genoset, met mostly in Hispanics. If a person has it, his risk of becoming a heroin addict is 8 times higher than in the population. Essentially, it means that if his drug is around, the person with this genoset is doomed. Evolutionary, of course, the genes were useful for something, but ended up a handicap in XX century. So - the drugs are not a choice. We, who don’t carry such genes, are neither smarter nor better. We are lucky.

I could write a lot, but what I want to say, unless we change the attitude to addicts, the problem will never be treated.

 

[SleuthBee]

Exactly. It doesn't matter why a person might be impaired - drugs, alcohol, mental illness, insulin reaction, head injury... - there is no time ever when it would have been OK for an officer to press his knee onto the person's neck for nearly 9 minutes. In fact, helping deal with impaired people is one of the reasons we have police officers, and why they should be able to safely get someone in custody.

In the events of Opioid and Methamphetamine impairment, an underlying cardiac issue or a smoking history, a patient's brain is more likely in need of supplemental oxygen as opposed to less. According to the autopsy, all of these factors applied. So GF's need for oxygen was most likely greater than that of a healthy non-impaired man.

My point is that a negative toxicology report may NOT be helpful to the prosecution. At best, it might explain GF's resistance. IMOO

Respiratory Depression and Brain Hypoxia Induced by Opioid Drugs: Morphine, Oxycodone, Heroin, and Fentanyl - PubMed

Is Cocaine a Stimulant?

 

[KR72]

Another thing I heard an expert talking about (it was on TV, sorry I don't have a source) regarding the autopsy showing heart disease - the expert said that many people over 40 are going to have the beginnings of heart disease.

 

[mickey2942]

Another thing I heard an expert talking about (it was on TV, sorry I don't have a source) regarding the autopsy showing heart disease - the expert said that many people over 40 are going to have the beginnings of heart disease.

Yes, we can go on and on about the health issues of Mr. Floyd. He looked clinically obese to me. Probably another reason why he had problems breathing while being on his stomach.

But, whatever his health issues were, the cause of death, on that day, at that time, was directly related to having oxygen cut due to compression on the carotid artery.