Minneapolis police lieutenant: Derek Chauvin’s knee on George Floyd’s neck was ‘totally unnecessary’

Lt. Zimmerman states that kneeling on the neck of a suspect that is in prone positioned and handcuffed is not a trained use of force because it can kill the individual pic.twitter.com/cYhY5nVFWP

— Reed (@TheSotaSwede) April 2, 2021

An emotional week of testimony in the trial of Derek Chauvin concluded Friday with Lt. Richard Zimmerman, the most senior officer in the Minneapolis Police Department, rejecting the former officer’s use of force against George Floyd, calling it “uncalled for” and “totally unnecessary.” Zimmerman testified that once someone is handcuffed, “they are not a threat to you at that point” and the amount of force should be immediately reduced. “If your knee is on a person’s neck, that could kill him,” he testified.

The former supervisor of Derek Chauvin took the stand today to recount the day George Floyd died.

Sgt. Pleoger said the restraint should have stopped when Floyd was no longer resisting.

“When Mr. Floyd was no longer offering up any resistance to the officers, they could have ended their restraint.”

MN V. CHAUVIN: The former supervisor of #DerekChauvin took the stand today to recount the day #GeorgeFloyd died.

Sgt. Pleoger said the restraint should have stopped when Floyd was no longer resisting.

WATCH LIVE – MN v. #DerekChauvin https://t.co/bis122QdFc pic.twitter.com/DXd2ulK0CK

— Court TV (@CourtTV) April 1, 2021

The trial is now in recess until Monday morning.

Lt. Zimmerman speaking about how being handcuffed lessens the threat level. No need for use of force at this point! #DerekChauvinTrial pic.twitter.com/lwQvhMiNux

— Liquid Sunshine ☀️ (@crysj___) April 2, 2021