Forensic Pathologist Blames George Floyd's Death on Cardiac Arrhythmia

George Floyd died of a sudden heart rhythm problem due to his heart disease while being restrained by police, a retired forensic pathologist testified for the defense Wednesday at former Officer Derek Chauvin's murder trial, contradicting several experts who said Floyd succumbed to a lack of oxygen.

Dr. David Fowler, a former chief medical examiner for the state of Maryland and now a member of consulting firm, said the fentanyl and methamphetamine in Floyd's system, and possible carbon monoxide poisoning from auto exhaust, were contributing factors.

He said Floyd's heart disease included high blood pressure and narrowing of the arteries.

Chauvin attorney Derek Nelson is trying to prove that the 19-year Minneapolis police veteran did what he was trained to do and that Floyd died because of his illegal drug use and underlying health problems.

Prosecutors say Floyd died because Chauvin's knee was pressed into Floyd's neck or neck area for 9 1/2 minutes as the 46-year-old Black man lay pinned to the pavement on his stomach last May with his hands cuffed behind his back.

Nelson asked Fowler about Floyd's narrowed arteries, enlarged heart, use of methamphetamine, the stress of the situation he was in, his high blood pressure and other factors.

Fowler said all of them could have caused Floyd's heart to work harder and led it to suddenly stop.

Previous witnesses have noted that a sudden heart rhythm problem does not necessarily produce visible signs on autopsy but can be inferred from circumstances such as a victim suddenly clutching one's chest and collapsing.

Bloomberg Quicktake brings you live global news and original shows spanning business, technology, politics and culture. Make sense of the stories changing your business and your world.

Connect with us on…

[dlsickofit]

The Minneapolis fire dept is going to be busy saving foundations after the verdict

[imgoldleader]

No he stated that his death should be labeled as "undetermined" since over half a dozen factors could have attributed to it.
Heart disease, a tumor in his groin, vehicle exhaust, lethal doses of Fentanyl and Meth ingested orally, Percocet ingested orally, and the excited delirium that comes with this concoction of drugs, just to name a few.

[Tony]

Looks like Bloomberg finally got tired of being ratiod into oblivion and finally showed some of the defense.

[georgetracy]

Basically, eat healthy, exercise regularly, don’t abuse narcotics, refrain from passing counterfeit money and forensic pathologists will have a much easier time determining your cause of death.

[swflfishing]

Don’t do drugs it’s bad for your health

[flipnotrab]

Enlarged heart is NOT a good thing no matter how you slice it. Or choke it.

[andrewprince]

Can I pay for my Starbucks coffee with fake money please. I even would buy a really cool printer to make them look real😂

[neiltingzon]

So, for short, cops can put their knees on anybody's neck/back for almost 9 minutes regardless whether a person has a medical condition or not? Does not sound logical to me. I sense desperation on the defence side.

[delloffthewall]

Defense calls for a person, who did not conduct the autopsy or give immediate care to George, for his OPINION. Why did a judge allow this?!

[krl]

hope your premiums are paid up minneapolis.

[rastax]

This is similar to how people say covid doesn't kill people, it just exasperates health issues...to death.

[laurencaulton]

For those who believe the defense was being edited: the defense only started its part of the trial this week. That's how a trial goes.

[Charmelllee]

Why havent it come out in the Chavin Trial that they both worked a Security job in a upscale restaurant there in Minneapolis?

[banksta]

This is just 1 retired pathologists opinion. The prosecution has a pathologist that says otherwise. It's up to the jury to decide who's opinion they believe.

[currypac]

I guess 3 guys on your back
and one one your neck was inconsequential ?
Dear doctor, let’s place you in this position for 9.5 mins to see if you have any heart issues

[nathanbrehm]

In custody is in the care of and responsibility of the cops. They refused to let a fire rescue check on him and didn't take the hint or follow her instructions to check themselves, negligent. When the ambulance arrived chauvin had to be pushed off to check vitals or start cpr. Guilty by the facts. Also all medical witnesses have said it was not drug related as the defense claims.

[nberrios]

The knee was on his upper back/base of the neck because had it been on his neck Floyd would have passed out within seconds. How long does it take an MMA fighter in excellent shape to tap out after he is in a neck restraint? A few seconds right??

[RES]

I saw video after video of the prosecution witness testimony ...almost contained very selected edited clips- Now I see very little coverage or videos of the defense witness testimony. Hmm?

[Az]

Damn that guy better go in witness protection

[Miniver]

I'm sure the fentanyl didn't help that either.