A “Statement of Probable Cause” of the death of George Floyd has been released by the City of Minneapolis, and it concludes that Floyd’s death was due to underlying health conditions, not strangulation.
What We Know:
- “The autopsy revealed no physical findings that support a diagnosis of traumatic asphyxia or strangulation,” the statement reads, according to CNN.
- “Mr. Floyd had underlying health conditions including coronary artery disease and hypertensive heart disease. The combined effects of Mr. Floyd being restrained by police, his underlying health conditions and any potential intoxicants in his system likely contributed to his death.”
The officer in the case of George Floyd was arrested. Autopsy is showing he didn’t die of strangulation but heart issues. Max sentence of 35 years with both charges or pay fine. Bail set at $500,000. Information provided by CNN & listed on their website #GeorgeFloydprotest pic.twitter.com/tjEmcg41as
— Michelle (@Michelle_Jaded) May 29, 2020
- According to the statement, “Defendant [Officer Derek Chauvin] had his knee on Mr. Floyd’s neck for 8 minutes and 46 seconds. 2 minutes and 53 seconds of that was after Mr. Floyd was non-responsive.”
George Floyd:
😵Autopsy revealed no physical findings that support a diagnosis of traumatic asphyxia or strangulation
😵Defendant had knee on Mr Floyd’s neck for 8 minutes and 46 seconds, 2 minutes and 53 seconds after Mr Floyd was non-responsive#ICantBreath#JusticeForGeorge pic.twitter.com/6vSAAi7BBb
— Laurel Coons, PhD 🧬🧬🧬 (@LaurelCoons) May 29, 2020
- The findings were immediately met with skepticism across social media, with many dismissing the report as an attempt to change the narrative surrounding the investigation.
- Former resident physician, Eugene Gu [who has been the subject of public attention due to his lawsuit against Donald Trump] spoke out about the autopsy report noting that Floyd’s death was “profoundly, and respectfully, quite bullshit.”
If George Floyd had underlying heart disease and hypertension, and if he was on a respiratory depressant drug, that would simply make him more vulnerable to a lack of air due to a knee to the neck. Hypoxic cardiac arrest would be especially more likely to happen in that scenario.
— Eugene Gu, MD (@eugenegu) May 29, 2020
- “The family does not trust anything coming from the Minneapolis Police Department. How can they?” the Floyd family’s attorney Ben Crump said during a Friday news conference.
- The family of George Floyd has now retained prominent forensic pathologist Dr. Michael Baden to perform an independent autopsy.
- Earlier today, the former officer who knelt on Floyd was taken into custody on third-degree murder and manslaughter charges.
*We will continue to follow any developments in this story and provide updates*
