A Summary of the trial - Week 2 Day 5
First in the witness stand today was Dr Jonathan Rich, a cardiologist at the Northwestern Memorial Hospital in Chicago, Illinois and an associate professor of medicine at Northwestern University.
Direct examination by Jerry Blackwell.
Witness stated that he was giving evidence as an expert cardiologist, to provide opinion as to how George Floyd died. Asked if he had ever testified in a court previously, admitted it was his first time. Adds that his job at Northwestern is mostly clinical work involving patient care and teaching resident doctors. Also involved in clinical research.
Witness states that he is the lead cardiologist who oversees patients in the ICU. Involved in determining cause of death of patients. Also participates in a committee that looks at deaths and near deaths in order to improve future prospects of patients. Has knowledge of patients who die from low oxygen levels. Involved in heart transplant post death investigations.
Works with cardiac pathologists regularly reviewing autopsies. Puts much store on clinical backgrounds when undertaking autopsy reviews. Has published more than 200 combined abstracts, original manuscripts, reviews and book chapters on wide ranging topis related to cardiology.
States that he was contacted by the State of Minnesota to give his opinion as to the way Floyd died. States that he has not received any compensation for his input as he felt that his input would be meaningful. Adds that he receives $1200 each day he is away from home as a result of testifying in this case.
Witness has reviewed all the medical records, autopsy reports, videos etc. Has formed the opinion that Floyd died from a cardiopulmonary arrest caused by low oxygen level which were caused by the prone restraint and positional asphyxiation that he was subjected to. Considered whether a primary heart event or ingestion of drugs had contributed to Floyd's death.asphyxia
Concluded that Floyd had not died from a primary heart event or a drugs overdose. (Note: this conflicts with the evidence given on Friday by the doctor who actually carried out the post mortem on George Floyd).
Agrees that Floyd suffered from hypertension, anxiety and struggled with substance abuse. States that Floyd had no diagnosis of heart disease while alive. Found no abnormalities wrt Floyd's heart after reviewing records. States that high blood pressure is not a heart condition. States that Floyd had "an exceptionally strong heart". (Note: this again was based on historical records).
Witness gave evidence in respect of the video footage he viewed. States that Floyd didn't appear to have any medical problem when he exited the SUV. Saw no evidence of a cardiac issue as police attempted to put Floyd in the squad car. Saw no sign of heart arrhythmia. Observed that Floyd was restrained in a life threatening measure in the prone position. That Floyd went into a cardiopulmonary arrest. Witness adds that he checked to see if Floyd went into a primary cardio event or if he deterioration was slower. He opined it was the latter.
Witness agrees that Floyd had coronary artery disease. States that none of the arteries were totally occluded as one would find in a heart attack. Added that the heart muscle showed no signs of damage. States there was no evidence of a previous heart attack. Asked about the arteries, agreed that there were partial blockages, that left coronary artery showed no platelets. Agreed that there was a plaque buildup in the heart arteries. Agreed that Floyd's heart was mildly enlarged and thickened, it was an expected finding in someone with high blood pressure. Agreed that the primary cause if death was not his heart.
As to the toxicology report, agreed that there were signs of fentanyl and methamphetamine. Added that he found that fentanyl played no role in Floyd's death. Opined that Floyd had a higher degree of tolerance due to his opiate abuse. Adds that he saw no signs of an opiate overdose. Floyd was awake, alert, talking.
Also states that the methamphetamine level in Floyd's system was low and did not trigger the cardiopulmonary arrest. Says that Floyd's death was "absolutely preventable".
Says that being in the prone position contributed to Floyd's death. Opined that meaningful survival was low by the time the paramedics had arrived. Asked if Floyd would have lived had it not been for Chauvin holding him on the ground for over 9 minutes, witness says he would have lived. Asked if a normal healthy person would have survived the restraint, defence objected and was sustained.
Direct ends.
Mid morning break followed.
