DOJ Moves To Overturn Order On Floyd’s Heart Sample Examination

The Department of Justice is pushing to rescind a recent court order that allows Derek Chauvin’s legal team to examine tissue and fluid samples from George Floyd’s heart. The DOJ argues that the order, issued by U.S. District Judge Paul Magnuson, lacks a legal basis and undermines prior convictions.

Chauvin’s attorneys are testing a theory that Floyd’s death in 2020 was caused by a preexisting heart condition aggravated by a rare tumor, rather than asphyxiation due to Chauvin’s knee restraint. They allege Floyd experienced a “catecholamine crisis,” leading to acute heart failure or pulmonary edema.

Federal prosecutors have strongly criticized the request, calling it an attempt to rewrite the narrative of Floyd’s death. “No legal basis exists for Defendant’s discovery requests,” prosecutors argued, adding that Chauvin’s initial conviction was based on overwhelming evidence.

Chauvin was convicted in state court in 2021 for murder and later pleaded guilty in federal court to violating Floyd’s civil rights. His new legal team argues that his original attorney, Eric Nelson, provided ineffective counsel by failing to present alternative medical theories raised by pathologist Dr. William Schaetzel.

Judge Magnuson’s decision to grant access to Floyd’s heart samples has reignited debates about the case, with federal prosecutors labeling the appeal as legally and scientifically unfounded.

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