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The death of George Floyd sparked intense debate over the role of police restraint, drug use, and preexisting health conditions. Two autopsies—one official and one independent—reached different conclusions, fueling controversy.
by Hennepin County Medical Examiner Dr. Andrew Baker ruled Floyd’s death a homicide caused by “cardiopulmonary arrest complicating law enforcement subdual, restraint, and neck compression.” It noted contributing factors, including severe heart disease and elevated levels of fentanyl (11 ng/mL) and methamphetamine. Dr. Baker testified that Floyd’s heart condition made him vulnerable to stress, but stressed that the police restraint was the primary cause.
, commissioned by Floyd’s family and conducted by Dr. Michael Baden, concluded Floyd died from mechanical asphyxia due to sustained pressure on his neck and back. This report downplayed the role of drugs or heart issues, arguing Floyd’s health was not a significant factor.
Key discrepancies emerged:
– : The official autopsy found Floyd had nearly four times the fentanyl level typically linked to fatal overdoses. Dr. Baker acknowledged that if Floyd had been found alone with no signs of trauma, the death “could be acceptable to call an overdose.”
– : Training materials from the Minneapolis Police Department authorized neck restraints as a “non-deadly force option,” which Chauvin’s defense argued justified his actions. Bodycam footage showed portions where Chauvin’s knee was placed on Floyd’s shoulder blade, not his neck.
– : Defense experts suggested Floyd exhibited symptoms like agitation and superhuman strength, consistent with drug-induced “excited delirium.” Critics argue this diagnosis, often cited in police custody deaths, lacks scientific validity and was removed from MPD training post-Floyd.
Ben Shapiro and other conservative voices highlight these points to argue Chauvin’s trial was politically charged. They claim media narratives suppressed evidence of Floyd’s drug use and health issues, while amplifying the independent autopsy’s findings. The campaign for a presidential pardon focuses on Chauvin’s federal conviction, though legal experts note he would remain imprisoned under his state sentence.
: Prosecutors leaned heavily on video evidence and testimony that Chauvin’s restraint deprived Floyd of oxygen. The defense emphasized Floyd’s drug use and prior health problems, but jurors rejected these arguments.
The debate reflects broader tensions over policing, race, and accountability. While medical experts agree restraint played a role, interpretations of contributing factors remain polarized. Conservative commentators frame the case as overreach by “woke” institutions, while others view it as a landmark moment for justice.
