Analysis: Derek Chauvin chooses not to testify in his trial, and the defense rests

Press Play with Madeleine Brand

Former Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin elected not to testify on Thursday in his own defense — in the trial over George Floyd’s death. After his decision, the defense rested its case. Closing arguments are expected to start Monday, and then the case heads to the jury. Judge Peter Cahill has said jurors will be sequestered while they deliberate. Chauvin is facing charges of second-degree murder, third-degree murder, and second-degree manslaughter.

CNN legal analyst Elliot Williams emphasizes the most important thing to know about this case versus any other: “Trials aren't like boxing, where if you knock the other side down three times, you automatically win. … You're dealing with jurors who are human beings, but also plagued by biases that affect our criminal justice system, and also a set of laws that are just designed to not convict people, and particularly not convict police officers. … You are butting a strong case up against a deeply baked, both legal and cultural, aversion to convicting a police officer.”