INTRODUCTION

Hello and welcome to Learning the Law, a podcast about all things legal with a focus on current events where we try and teach you things in an hour. My name is Ashley, aka PhoenixNymphy and my co-host who is the man of the hour, my husband Ron. This podcast is purely educational and should not be taken as legal advice, this podcast does not create an attorney client relationship, this podcast is based on his interpretation of relevant law. Any opinions expressed are the opinions of the individual making them and do not reflect the opinions of any firm, company or other individuals. Ron is a licensed practicing attorney in the state of California.

Itinerary

1. Our Weeks
2. Questions from the audience
3. Topic of the week – Chauvin Case Highlights & Jim Crow laws
   1. Derek Chauvin Case
      1. Charges – 2nd degree unintentional murder, 3rd degree murder, 2nd degree manslaughter
      2. Trial Day 1 – 
         1. What do they mean by “Prone Restraint Is Central Factor In Opening Statements”
         2. Prosecutor – Special Assistant Attorney General Jerry Blackwell – 
            1. Arguments:
               1. “indisputably an excessive use of force”
               2. Known about dangers of prone position for over 30 yrs
               3. Floyd’s body was making involuntary movements while being held including a seizure and agonal breathing from oxygen deprivation
               4. Doesn’t let up after being told twice there is no pulse even when a paramedic sought a pulse
         3. Defense attorney – Eric Nelson
            1. Arguments:
               1. “The use of force is not attractive but it is a necessary component of policing.”
               2. “Did what he was trained to do.”
               3. Trial will bring battles over how facts are interpreted mainly cause of death
               4. Coroner report found no evidence that Floyd died of asphyxiation
               5. Floyd put drugs in his mouth in an effort to conceal from police
               6. Blames crowd for distracting cops and causing chaos
         4. Autopsy Report
            1. Medical examiner ruled death a homicide, heart and lungs stopped functioning “while being restrained”
               1. Cited neck compression, other significant conditions including fentanyl intoxication, recent methamphetamine use, and signs of heart disease
         5. Witnesses
            1. Jena Scurry – 911 dispatcher
               1. Called the sgt on the officers on scene b/c she thought something wasn’t right. She said she thought her screen was frozen and didn’t want to be a “snitch” but knew something was wrong
            2. Alisha Oyler – Cashier across street
               1. Had 7 different recordings of the incident and when asked why she said b/c she “always sees the police…they’re always messing with people. And it’s wrong and it’s not right.”
            3. Donald Williams – Martial arts trained fighter
               1. Picture of Chauvin with his hands in his pockets as he pinned Floyd to the ground looking straight at the camera. – Told him it was a blood choke
                  1. Chokehold that cuts off the flow of blood to the brain
      3. Day 2
         1. Witnesses
            1. Donald Williams
               1. Called 911 b/c he felt he “witnessed a murder”
            2. Teenagers – 
               1. Judge ruled names to be kept confidential for their privacy and off livestream during their testimony
               2. Darnella – 17 at the time 
                  1. Her video was the one that went viral
               3. Judeah – 9 yrs old
               4. Kaylynn – 17
            3. Genevieve Hansen – Off duty Firefighter/emt
               1. Was not allowed to give CPR to Floyd
               2. “Repremanded” 
               3. Will finish testimony tomorrow

CLOSING

Thank you so much for listening to Learning the Law if you liked this podcast and want to hear more don’t forget to like, subscribe, follow, and share in all your favorite places. You can find it hosted on twitch at twitch.tv/phoenixnymphy use the hashtag #learningthelaw on tiktok to follow more there. You can find Ron on twitter at Necrokijo and Ashley on most social media platforms at PhoenixNymphy. If you have any questions please tweet, comment, or email at twolazydogsmedia@gmail.com. This has been a Two Lazy Dogs production.