Prosecutors pounced on testimony made by a former chief medical examiner called by the defense as an expert witness during the murder trial of former Minneapolis …
Prosecutors pounced on testimony made by a former chief medical examiner called by the defense as an expert witness during the murder trial of former Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin on Wednesday over his speculation about the factors that contributed to George Floyd’s death. Under questioning by defense, the witness, David Fowler, speculated that Floyd could have been exposed to carbon monoxide poisoning when he was pressed to the ground under Chauvin’s restraint near a squad car last May. Though Fowler later said he had no knowledge of whether Floyd’s blood had even been tested for carbon monoxide, he pointed to potential carbon monoxide poisoning when listing each of the factors he felt contributed to his death. Those factors also included cardiac arrhythmia, as well as drugs and Floyd’s underlying health problems. “There is exposure to a vehicle exhaust, so potentially carbon monoxide poisoning, or what at least an effect from increased carbon monoxide in his bloodstream. And paraganglioma or the other natural disease process that he has,” Fowler said. “So, all of those combined to cause Mr. Floyd’s death,” he continued. During cross-examination, prosecutor Jerry Blackwell grilled Fowler over speculation about the carbon monoxide poisoning in particular, which had also drawn confusion online during the trial. “You agree as an expert witness that you shouldn’t jump to conclusions? That is, you should reach fair conclusions based upon a careful considered analysis?” he asked.
