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Protests took place outside the courthouse where Chauvin denies murder
(AFP via Getty Images)
A Minneapolis firefighter who wept as she recalled being prevented from using her training to help George Floyd will be back giving evidence soon in the trial of a police officer charged with murder.
Genevieve Hansen, one of several bystanders seen and heard shouting at Derek Chauvin as he pinned Floyd face down last May, described her desperation yesterday as she recounted how she was unable to go to Mr Floyd’s aid or tell police what to do, such as administering chest compressions.
“There was a man being killed,” said Ms Hansen. “I would have been able to provide medical attention to the best of my abilities. And this human was denied that right.”
She said another officer at the scene told her: “If you really are a Minneapolis firefighter, you would know better than to get involved.”
Lawyers for Chauvin say he followed his police training and is not guilty of second-degree murder, third-degree murder and second-degree manslaughter.
More: Off-duty firefighter called 911 when police refused to let her treat George Floyd
Graeme Massie has the story: An off-duty firefighter called 911 when police refused to let her treat George Floyd and worried about the safety of Black witnesses, a murder trial heard.
Genevieve Hansen, 27, told a court that she was “desperate” to check Mr Floyd’s pulse but was denied access by the officers detaining him.
Chris Riotta31 March 2021 13:52
Firefighter ‘was warned not to get involved’
A Minneapolis firefighter whose offers of medical aid to George Floyd during his arrest last May were rebuffed by police is due to return to the witness stand.
The third day of testimony in the Chauvin trial comes after jurors on Tuesday heard bystanders describe how they watched Floyd’s arrest on 25 May, and screamed at Chauvin to get off Floyd’s neck.
Among the witnesses on Tuesday was teenager Darnella Frazier, who recorded a video showing Chauvin using his knee to pin the neck of Floyd, 46, to the ground.
Lawyers for Chauvin, 45, say he followed his police training and is not guilty of second-degree murder, third-degree murder and second-degree manslaughter.
Genevieve Hansen, a firefighter who was off duty when she arrived at the scene, can be heard on the video screaming at the police to check Floyd’s pulse.
“I pled and was desperate,” she told the court. She said another officer there told her: “If you really are a Minneapolis firefighter, you would know better than to get involved.”
After her increasingly combative exchanges with Eric Nelson, Chauvin’s lead lawyer, Hennepin County District Judge Peter Cahill sent out the jury and warned Ms Hansen not to argue with the court or with lawyers.
Jane Dalton31 March 2021 12:40
Welcome to our live coverage of the trial in Minneapolis of Derek Chauvin, a former police officer charged with the murder of George Floyd, whose death last year sparked Black Lives Matter protests.
Jane Dalton31 March 2021 12:32
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