A court on Wednesday unsealed new police body-camera footage from the Memorial Day arrest and death of George Floyd that sparked widespread protests against police brutality and systemic racism.
The video footage, which shows a startled Floyd being apologetic and fearful before being pinned under an officer’s knee, captured the struggle between Floyd and police that led to Minneapolis Police Officer Derek Chauvin placing his knee on the man’s neck for about 91/2 minutes — rather than the 8 minutes and 46 seconds initially reported.
While a Hennepin County judge on Wednesday allowed the public to view the video evidence, no one was allowed to record the newly unsealed footage that shows:
– Officers called Cup Foods convenience store, answering a call that Floyd might have passed a bad $20 bill.
– Lane approaching Floyd’s car and using the back of his flashlight to tap on the driver’s side window.
– Floyd is visibly startled in the vehicle.
– Lane pulls a service weapon and demands to see Floyd’s hands.
– A confused Floyd looks and leans back, asking, “What did we do, Mr. Officer?”
– After saying, “I’m sorry officer,” Floyd puts both hands on the steering wheel.
– “I’m so sorry,” Floyd can be heard telling Lane again, explaining that he wants to comply. “I got shot the same way, Mr. Officer, before.”
After Floyd is eventually handcuffed:
– Lane and Kueng try pushing him into the back of their squad car. But he resists, explaining on multiple occasions that he’s claustrophobic and had recently battled COVID-19.
– The officers try to get him into the car on the driver’s side, but he eventually falls out the passenger side and says, “Thank you.”
– After failing to get Floyd in the car, Chauvin ends up on with his knee on Floyd’s neck for about 9 1/2 minutes, time codes on the footage showed.
– Throughout much of the time under Chauvin’s knee, Floyd begs for help.
– “I can’t breathe. Please. Your knee in my neck. S—,” Floyd can be heard pleading.
– Chauvin’s knee remains on Floyd’s neck, even as he appears to pass out and up to the moment he is rolled on to a paramedic’s stretcher.
