Chauvin Trial Update 4/8/21

Medical expert Dr. Martin Tobin testified on April 8 in the Derek Chauvin trial. Tobin specializes in pulmonology and critical care and is an expert on medical issues with lungs and respiratory systems. 

According to his testimony, he said that Floyd’s breaths weren’t able to get air through his lungs into the blood. The way the officers pushed him into the ground constricted him and kept his left lung from expanding. Chauvin’s knee on Floyd’s neck only further constricted his breathing. By the time Chauvin let up, Floyd had already passed. Tobin stated that a healthy person would have died from how Floyd was treated. 

Dr. Bill Smock gave testimony later that day, reiterating the same statement, that Floyd had died from a lack of oxygen.

The Chauvin trial is scheduled to resume on April 9.