The NY Post reports that George Floyd had tested positive for COVID 19 in April. He died May 25th when now former police officer Derek Chauvin put his knee into the back of Floyd's neck for almost 9 minutes while he was handcuffed face down on a street after being arrested for allegedly passing a counterfeit $20 bill at a convenience store. Chauvin has been arrested for 3rd degree murder and yesterday those charges were upped to 2nd degree murder. The other 3 officers were arrested yesterday as well and are charged with aiding & abetting 2nd degree murder.
Dr. Andrew Baker, the chief medical examiner at Hennepin County writes in his report; “Since … positivity for [COVID-19] can persist for weeks after the onset and resolution of clinical disease, the autopsy result most likely reflects asymptomatic but persistent … positivity from previous infection.”
The autopsy also listed blunt-force injuries to Floyd's face, shoulders, hands, arms and legs; bruises on his wrists from handcuffs; and a broken rib during cardiopulmonary resuscitation.
The death is listed as homicide caused by asphyxia from both neck and back compression. COVID 19 was not a contributing factor. The medical examiner’s office’s findings included “other significant conditions” including heart disease, fentanyl intoxication and methamphetamine's in his system that were not a factor.