Defense rests in federal trial in George Floyd’s killing

By STEVE KARNOWSKI and AMY FORLITI
Associated Press

ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) — The defense attorney for the third former Minneapolis officer charged with violating George Floyd’s civil rights as Derek Chauvin pressed his knee into Floyd’s neck rested his case Monday. That came after the officer testified that he didn’t realize how dire Floyd’s condition was until paramedics turned him over. Thomas Lane said that moment was the first time he had seen Floyd’s face since police had put the 46-year-old Black man handcuffed, facedown on the ground while struggling to arrest him. Before that, as Lane held Floyd’s legs, he thought he saw Floyd’s chest rise and fall. Lane’s co-defendants, Tou Thao and J. Alexander Kueng, presented their cases last week. Closing arguments are Tuesday.