By Aaron Miller-
There will be increased police and national guard presence on the streets as the opening arguments in the murder trial of former police officer Derek Chauvin begin.
The trial which will attract world attention, will be the most high profile since the trial of OJ Simpson in 1995.
Chauvin is accused of killing of George Floyd last year prompted a wave of Black Lives Matter protests.
Chauvin, 45, has denied charges of second- and third-degree murder and manslaughter over the death of the 46-year-old Black man after he was detained on suspicion of passing a counterfeit $20 bill last May.
The prosecution case is based on a nearly nine-minute bystander video of the police officer kneeling on Floyd’s neck while he is handcuffed and as two other officers keep him pinned to the ground. Floyd is heard to say “I can’t breathe” and “I’m about to die”.
The video appalled the world and led to some of the biggest protests against racial injustice since the civil rights movement of the 1960s.
An autopsy by the Hennepin county medical examiner’s office ruled Floyd’s death a homicide because he suffered from heart failure brought on by “law enforcement subdual, restraint and neck compression”.
George Floyd (left)was killed by Derek Chauvin
Chauvin’s defence will focus on the examination’s finding that Floyd had heart disease and there was evidence of “fentanyl intoxication” and “recent methamphetamine use”.
The prosecution on the other hand, led by Minnesota’s attorney general, Keith Ellison will point to a long history of excessive force used by the defendant, including kneeling on people during his 20-year police career.
The defence claims Chauvin was following police training and had no intent to harm Floyd.
Chauvin and Floyd are said to have worked together at a U.S night club, and knew each other, but not on good terms.
it is not know whether their past professional connection will feature in the murder trial.