AMNA NAWAZ: But, first, let's turn to the other major story of this day, the closing
arguments in the trial of former police officer Derek Chauvin. The verdict will be closely
watched in Minnesota and around the country, with many cities bracing for protests, marches
and potential unrest. Special correspondent Fred de Sam Lazaro reports on the final case
made by prosecutors and Chauvin's defense. And a warning: The testimony includes some
graphic images of what happened to George Floyd. PETER CAHILL, Hennepin County, Minnesota,
Judge: You have now heard the evidence. FRED DE SAM LAZARO: Today's closing arguments culminated
over two weeks of testimony in the Derek Chauvin trial, with both sides revisiting video seen
extensively throughout the trial, beginning with prosecutor Steve Schleicher. STEVE SCHLEICHER,
Minnesota Prosecutor: This case is exactly what you thought when you saw it first, when
you saw that video. It's what you felt in your gut. It's what you know now in your heart.
This wasn't policing. This was murder. The defendant is guilty of all three counts, all
of them. And there's no excuse. FRED DE SAM LAZARO: Chauvin is charged on three counts,
with second-degree murder, third-degree murder, and manslaughter in the second degree. STEVE
SCHLEICHER: Nine minutes and 29 seconds, nine minutes and 29 seconds, he was trapped with
the unyielding pavement underneath him, as unyielding as the men who held him down, pushing
him, a knee to the neck, a knee to the back, twisting his fingers, holding his legs for
nine minutes and 29 seconds, the defendant's weight on him. FRED DE SAM LAZARO: Although
the Floyd case sparked debate in Minneapolis about reforming, even abolishing the police,
prosecutors said, that's not what this trial is about. STEVE SCHLEICHER: Make no mistake,
this is not a prosecution of police. It is a prosecution of the defendant. FRED DE SAM
LAZARO: Chauvin took notes by hand throughout the prosecution's statements, but notably
removed his mask for his own lawyer's closing arguments. For his part, defense attorney
Eric Nelson also used police bodycam video, which he said demonstrated that Chauvin's
actions were reasonable in a fast-moving situation. ERIC NELSON, Attorney For Derek Chauvin: You
can't limit it to nine minutes and 29 seconds. It started 17 minutes before that nine minutes
and 29 seconds. In this case, the totality of the circumstances that were known to a
reasonable police officer in the precise moment the force was used demonstrates that this
was an authorized use of force, as unattractive as it may be. And this is reasonable doubt.
There is absolutely no evidence that Officer Chauvin intentionally, purposefully applied
unlawful force. It's tragic. It's tragic. FRED DE SAM LAZARO: On the cause of Floyd's
death, Nelson discounted testimony from several prosecution witnesses who said it was asphyxia
caused by Chauvin's actions. Nelson said they had cherry-picked video, and argued that drugs
and underlying disease were responsible. ERIC NELSON: Do not let yourselves be misled by
a single still-frame image. Put the evidence in its proper context. The failure of the
state's experts to acknowledge any possibility, any possibility at all that any of these other
factors in any way contributed to Mr. Floyd's death defies medical science and it defies
common sense. FRED DE SAM LAZARO: The prosecution returned with a brief rebuttal. JERRY BLACKWELL,
Minnesota Prosecutor: Well, here's what I thought, then, was the largest departure from
here, the evidence. I will show it to you. And the truth of the matter is that the reason
George Floyd is dead is because Mr. Chauvin's heart was too small. FRED DE SAM LAZARO: After
jurors went into deliberations, Judge Peter Cahill denied a motion for a mistrial from
defense attorney Nelson, who said he was concerned about the influence of intense media publicity.
MAN: And we stand united. FRED DE SAM LAZARO: Outside the courthouse today, a prayer vigil
was held with the families of Floyd and 20-year-old Daunte Wright, killed a week ago in a police
shooting. In a metropolitan area on edge, there were also pleas from local leaders to
maintain peaceful protests. For the "PBS NewsHour," I'm Fred de Sam Lazaro in St. Paul, Minnesota.