Chauvin's lawyer argues knee on shoulder, not neck

Minneapolis police are taught to restrain combative suspects with a knee on their back or shoulders if necessary but are told to "stay away from the neck when possible" a department use-of-force instructor testified Tuesday at former Officer Derek Chauvin's murder trial.

Lt. Johnny Mercil, who teaches use of force, became the latest department member to testify as part of an effort by prosecutors to prove that Chauvin violated his training when he put his knee on George Floyd's neck last May.

Under cross-examination by Chavin's attorney Eric Nelson, Mercil also testified that officers are trained to use their knee across the back of the person's shoulder to the base of the neck and to use their body weight to maintain control. But, he said, "I will add that we ... tell officers to stay away from the neck when possible. And if you're going to use body weight to pin, to put it on their shoulder and be mindful of position.

Nelson showed Mercil a series of still images taken from officers' body-camera videos, asking after each one whether Mercil agreed that it showed Chauvin's knee appearing to rest more on Floyd's back, shoulder or shoulder blades rather than directly on Floyd's neck. Mercil often agreed.