An independent autopsy concluded that George Floyd died from asphyxia due to sustained forceful pressure on his neck and back, a legal team for the slain man’s family announced Monday.
According to KSTP, Dr. Michael Baden and Dr. Allecia Wilson, who conducted the autopsy, determined that Floyd, 46, died last week due to consistent pressure placed on his neck. Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin, 44, was filmed forcing his knee on Floyd’s neck as Floyd was being arrested for allegedly using a counterfeit bill at Cup Foods.
A criminal complaint against Chauvin — who’s charged with third-degree murder and second-degree manslaughter — cited an autopsy that found that Floyd being restrained, combined with underlying health issues and possible intoxicants in his system, contributed to his death. The report also stated that there was no evidence “to support a diagnosis of traumatic asphyxia or strangulation,” according to ABC News.
Read continuing coverage on the death of George Floyd
Floyd was reportedly handcuffed as Chauvin forced his knee on his neck. Floyd was filmed repeating that he couldn’t breathe before losing consciousness.
The independent autopsy reportedly also blamed Floyd’s death on the other officers who held him down.
“Not only was the knee on George’s neck a cause of his death, but so was the weight of the other two police officers on his back, who not only prevented blood flow into his brain but also air flow into his brain,” family lawyer Antonio Romanucci said Monday, according to The New York Times.
Chauvin and three other officers involved in Floyd’s arrest, Thomas Lane, J. Alexander Kueng, and Tou Thao, were ultimately fired. However, Chauvin’s currently the only officer who’s criminally charged for Floyd’s death.
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[Featured image: George Floyd/Facebook; Facebook video screengrab]
