MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA - MARCH 29: Police and National Guard soldiers stand watch at the Hennepin County Government Center before the start of the trial of former Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin on March 29, 2021 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Opening statements begin today in Chauvin's trial. He faces second-degree murder charges in the death of George Floyd on May 25, 2020. (Photo by Scott Olson/Getty Images)
As we move into the third week of Derek Chauvin’s trial, it’s the defense’s turn to bring forth some witnesses and people on social media watching the trial are not impressed.
On Day 12 of the trial, use-of-force expert Barry Brodd took the stand and testified that in his opinion, Derek Chauvin was justified and was acting with “objective reasonableness” in his interactions with George Floyd.
“I felt that Derek Chauvin was justified and was acting with objective reasonableness, following Minneapolis Police Department policy and current standards of law enforcement in his interactions with Mr. Floyd,” Brodd told the jury.
Brodd also told the jury that in his opinion, Chauvin didn’t use “deadly force” when he kneeled on George Floyd for nearly 10 minutes on May 25, 2020.
Brodd says he has served as a use-of-force expert in more than 140 cases, including another high-profile case involving police brutality: the trial of the former Chicago police officer who shot and killed 17-year-old Laquan McDonald.
In that trial, Brodd testified that every one of former Chicago police officer’s Jason Van Dyke’s 16 shots fired at the teen were justified.
Keep in mind, Brodd admitted that he volunteered his services for Chauvin’s trial and was then retained as an expert by Chauvin’s defense attorney, Eric Nelson.
Brodd contended that he doesn’t consider the prone position that George Floyd was in as use of force but during cross-examination by state prosecutor Steve Schleicher, Brodd admitted that the prone position could be viewed as a use of force.
“If the pain was inflicted through the prone control, then yes I would say that’s a use of force,” Brodd admitted.
People on social media were quick to tear up Brodd’s testimony and credibility.
“So retired Officer Barry Brodd believes that Derek Chauvin was justified in killing George Floyd. Anyone else think it may be a good idea to look into some of his actions and complaints made against him while he was still working?” one person tweeted.
“Are y’all watching Barry Brodd’s testimony? He exemplifies all that is wrong with policing #DerekChauvinTrial,” another tweeted.
We’ll continue to follow the trial daily. Stay tuned.
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