Closing arguments begin today in the murder trial of Derek Chauvin

Closing arguments are scheduled Monday in the murder trial of Derek Chauvin.

Then, the fate of a former Minneapolis police officer charged in the death of George Floyd will be in the hands of a jury.

The prosecution has argued Chauvin used excessive force when he pressed his knee into the Black man’s neck for nine and a half minutes, despite Floyd’s repeated cries that he couldn’t breathe.

The defence has countered that Floyd put himself at risk by swallowing fentanyl and methamphetamine, then resisting officers trying to arrest him.

Chauvin is charged with second-degree murder, third-degree murder and second-degree manslaughter, which carry maximum sentences of 40, 25 and 10 years respectively.