Former Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin said Thursday that he would not testify at his murder trial for the death of George Floyd, as a policewoman facing charges for the killing of another Black American made her first court appearances.
The prosecution and defense in Chauvin’s trial rested on Thursday after the state called a final witness and Chauvin said he would exercise his constitutional right against self-incrimination.
“I will invoke my Fifth Amendment privilege today,” Chauvin told Judge Peter Cahill.
“Is this your decision — not to testify?” the judge asked the former police officer.
“It is, your honor,” said Chauvin.
Chauvin, 45, was recorded kneeling on the neck of the 46-year-old Floyd for more than nine minutes during his 25 May 2020 arrest in Minneapolis for allegedly using a counterfeit $20 bill.
A video by a bystander went viral and sparked protests against racial injustice and police brutality in the United States and around the world.
Cahill gave the nine-woman, five-man jury a day off on Friday before closing arguments Monday.
He reminded the jurors that they would be sequestered for their deliberations and told them they should “plan for long and hope for short” when packing their bags.
