The defense has rested in Derek Chauvin's murder trial in the death of George Floyd Thursday, without the former Minneapolis police officer taking the stand. 

What You Need To Know

  • Both the defense and the State have rested in Derek Chauvin's murder trial in the death of George Floyd Thursday

  • The former Minneapolis police officer invoked the Fifth Amendment rather than testify on his own behalf

  • Closing arguments in the case are set for Monday, April 19, after which the jury will begin deliberating

  • Chauvin is charged with second-degree murder, third-degree murder and manslaughter in the death of Floyd last May

“I will invoke my Fifth Amendment privilege today,” Chauvin said, choosing not to testify on his own behalf, opting to use his right against self-incrimination.

“Is this your decision not to testify?” Judge Peter Cahill asked.

“It is, your honor,” Chauvin said.

The risks for Chauvin were high: Testifying could have opened him up to devastating cross-examination, with prosecutors replaying the video of the arrest and forcing Chauvin to explain, one frame at a time, why he kept pressing down on Floyd.

The State also rested its case on Thursday. The prosecution's case took two weeks; the defense took all of two days. 

Chauvin is charged with second-degree murder, third-degree murder and manslaughter in the death of Floyd last May. The video of Floyd gasping that he couldn’t breathe as bystanders yelled at Chauvin to get off him triggered worldwide protests, violence and a furious examination of racism and policing in the United States.

Prosecutors say Floyd died because the white officer’s knee was pressed against Floyd’s neck or neck area for 9 1/2 minutes as he lay on the pavement on his stomach, his hands cuffed behind him and his face jammed against the ground.

Chauvin attorney Eric Nelson has argued that the 19-year Minneapolis police veteran did what he was trained to do and that Floyd died because of his illegal drug use and underlying health problems.

Defense witness, Dr. David Fowler said that Chauvin’s knee on Floyd was “nowhere close to his airway” and that Floyd’s speaking and groaning showed that his airway was still open. He also testified that Chauvin’s knee was not applied with enough pressure to cause any bruises or scrapes on Floyd’s neck or back.

Closing arguments in the case are set for Monday, April 19, after which the racially diverse jury will begin deliberating at the barbed-wire-ringed courthouse, with Minneapolis on edge against a repeat of the protests and violence that broke out last spring over Floyd’s death.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.