In Front of Our Eyes Minnesota Public Radio

After his murder conviction, former Minneapolis officer Derek Chauvin is sentenced. George Floyd's family members, including his young daughter, Gianna, describe for the judge how Floyd's violent death continues to disrupt their lives.

Derek Chauvin’s conviction of murder and manslaughter is expected to be only the beginning as activists and George Floyd’s family promise to keep working for change in police departments in Minnesota and beyond. Chauvin’s trial also saw a number of police officers testifying against him.

The murder trial of Derek Chauvin in the killing of George Floyd enters the final stages, with closing arguments set for Monday. The defense rested its case on Thursday after Chauvin said he would not take the stand in his own defense. And the Twin Cities area is rocked by another police killing of a Black man. This is a special edition of Minnesota Today for Saturday, April 17, 2021. Hosted by Nina Moini. Theme music by Gary Meister.

Prosecution makes the case in Derek Chauvin's murder trial that George Floyd's death had more to do with the officers' weight pressing him to the pavement as he tried to breathe, and not underlying health or drug use issues. 

Emotion overflowed in the first week of testimony as the court saw video that showed what happened before, during and after George Floyd's death. Bystanders testified that they wanted to do more to save the Minneapolis man. And Derek Chauvin's former Minneapolis police superior said kneeling on a handcuffed, prone person does not fall within training.

A criminal trial carried live breaks tradition as attorneys prepare to deliver opening statements on Monday. Also, a series of healing events aims to help people who continue to experience trauma that some expect will be heightened by exposure to the details of George Floyd’s killing last May.