The trial for Derek Chauvin, the former Minneapolis police officer charged in the death of George Floyd, began Monday in Minneapolis.
He faces charges of manslaughter, second-degree murder and third-degree murder.
The trial is expected to last four weeks.
Mar 29, 2021, 11:42 AM EDT
Chauvin watches intently as prosecutor plays witness video
Blackwell played a portion of the 9 minute and 29 second video taken by a witness on May 25, 2020.
"For half of that time, Mr. Floyd was unconscious, breathless and pulseless," Blackwell said.
Blackwell said Floyd can be seen repeatedly heaving his right shoulder into the air. This move was an attempt by Floyd to expand his ribcage so he could breathe, as he was "pancaked" between the hard pavement beneath him and Chauvin on top of him, Blackwell said.
Chauvin watched intently as the video was played in the courtroom.
Mar 29, 2021, 11:05 AM EDT
"Mr. Chauvin betrayed his badge," prosecutor says
Derek Chauvin failed the responsibilities that come with the badge he was given by the Minneapolis Police Department when he pressed his knee on George Floyd’s neck and killed him, prosecutor Jerry Blackwell said in opening statements Monday.
Part of the oath Minneapolis police officers take is to enforce the law "courteously and appropriately," while “never employing unnecessary force,” Blackwell said, adding that Chauvin violated both when he engaged in the "grinding and crushing" of Floyd "until the very life was squeezed out of him."
"Mr. Chauvin betrayed his badge," Blackwell said.
In this image from video, defense attorney Eric Nelson, left, and former Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin listen as Hennepin County Judge Peter Cahill presides over pre-trial motions prior to opening statements, March 29, 2021, in Minneapolis.
Court TV via AP, Pool
Floyd was unarmed, in handcuffs and did not present a threat to anyone, Blackwell said.
"He was completely in the control of the police," Blackwell said. “He was defenseless.”
Blackwell vowed to give Chauvin a fair trial, but stated that he was "anything but innocent" on May 25, 2020 -- the day that Floyd died.
The prosecution plans to prove that Chauvin engaged in "force that he applied without the regard for its impact," Blackwell said.
Mar 29, 2021, 4:21 PM EDT
Attorneys for George Floyd’s family speak ahead of trial
The civil rights attorneys representing the family of George Floyd -- Benjamin Crump, Antonio Romanucci and L. Chris Stewart as well as the Rev. Al Sharpton -- spoke to reporters Monday morning.
“Today starts a landmark trial that will be a referendum on how far America has come in its quest for equality and justice for all,” Crump said, with Floyd’s family present.
Floyd family lawyer, Attorney Ben Crump, left,and Rev. Al Sharpton, the founder and President of National Action Network,center, and George Floyd's brother kneel outside the Hennepin County Government Center on the opening day of the trial of former Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin on March 29, 2021 in Minneapolis.
Kerem Yucel/AFP via Getty Images
Crump stressed that the evidence against Chauvin speaks for itself, saying this “murder case is not hard."
“We're not asking for anything extraordinary,” Crump said. “We're asking for equal justice under the law.”
ABC News’ Arielle Mitropoulos contributed to this report.
Mar 29, 2021, 10:52 AM EDT
15th juror to be excused
Hennepin County District Court Judge Peter Cahill will excuse the 15th juror chosen for Chauvin's trial as court gets underway.
The first 14 jurors are present and will be sworn in and seated.
Eight jurors are white and six are people of color, including four jurors who self-identify as Black. There are nine women and five men.
ABC News’ Whitney Lloyd contributed to this report.
