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Homicide lieutenant calls use of force against George Floyd ‘totally unnecessary’

During the trial of former Minneapolis Police Officer Derek Chauvin on Friday, Police Lt. Richard Zimmerman testified that the use of force applied against George Floyd was “totally unnecessary” and “uncalled for.”

Video transcript

- So based on your review of the body-worn camera videos of the incident--

- Yes.

- --and directing your attention to that moment when Mr. Floyd is placed on the ground--

- Yes.

- --what is your view of that use of force during that time period?

- Totally unnecessary.

- What do you mean?

- Well, first of all, pulling him down to the ground, face down, and putting your knee on a neck for that amount of time, is just uncalled for. I saw no reason why the officers felt they were in danger, if that's what they felt. And that's what they would have to feel to be able to use that kind of force.

- So in your opinion, should that restraint have stopped once he was handcuffed and prone on the ground.

- Absolutely.

- And I should add to that question then. Also it appeared he had stopped resisting.

- I'm sorry.

- And it appeared that he had stopped putting up any resistance.

- Absolutely. I would stop.