• Home
  • About
    • Authors
  • Advertise
  • Articles
    • Archives
    • Chaplain
    • Crime & Controversy
    • Community
    • Cop Humor
    • Editorial
    • Op-ed
    • Gear & Technology
    • Investigations
    • Laws & Legal
    • Leadership
    • News
    • Officer Down
    • On Duty
    • Tactics
  • Network
    • Learn more
  • Training
  • Officer Privacy
  • Jobs
  • Contact
No Result
View All Result
Law Officer
Law Officer
No Result
View All Result

Chauvin Trial Testimony: Trainer said ‘If you can talk, you can breathe’

April 6, 2021
Law OfficerbyLaw Officer
Share and speak up for justice, law & order...

Minneapolis– Minneapolis police Lt. Johnny Mercil took the stand on Tuesday and had taught a use of force training class attended by Derek Chauvin in October 2018.  Lt. Mercil, who supervises the training division’s use of force training, told jurors that a still-image of Chauvin kneeling on Floyd’s neck is not a restraint taught to Minneapolis Police Department officers.

While Lt. Mercil said that using a knee on the neck or back can be an authorized use of force, it is usually transitory and depends on the time frame and type of resistance. He specifically said that if the subject was handcuffed and not resisting, it is not authorized.

Under questioning by defense attorney, Eric Nelson, Mercil acknowledged use of force techniques do not have a strict application in every instance and that officers are taught to be fluid and react to the circumstances they face. Mercil agreed that the crowd’s words could be considered threatening to the officers, and would be a factor they might consider.

Mercil agreed with Nelson that an officer could hold a neck restraint after rendering someone unconscious if they had to wait on another officer to arrive. However, Mercil declined to agree with the argument that Chauvin could hold the neck restraint while waiting for emergency medical services to arrive.

When asked about the prone position of a suspect, Mercil admitted there are circumstances when a subject may need to be held in a prone position until aid arrives and that he has trained officers to use their body weight to control a subject until emergency medical services arrives.

Presented with a still image from an officer’s body-worn camera of an EMT palpating Floyd’s carotid artery on his neck to check his pulse, Mercil said Chauvin’s knee “appears to be between the shoulder blades.” At that point, Mercil said that Chauvin’s use of force was not a neck restraint and appeared to be a body weight hold.

George Floyd called out while Chauvin and the other officers were holding him down, saying that he could not breath. At one point, officers tell Floyd that he could breath because he was able to talk.

Mercil agreed under questioning that some people make excuses to avoid arrest, and that he has had suspects say “I can’t breathe” when he was trying to arrest them.

Nelson asked Mercil if he had ever trained or said that “if someone can talk they can breath?”

Mercil stated, “It’s been said, yes.”

Minneapolis Officer Nicole Mackenzie leads the department’s EMT unit and she testified that just because someone could talk does not mean they are not having difficulty breathing.

 


Share and speak up for justice, law & order...
Continue Reading
Tags: Derek ChauvinDerek Chauvin trialGeorge FloydMinneapolisMinnesota
Law Officer

Law Officer

Law Officer is the only major law enforcement publication and website owned and operated by law enforcement—for law enforcement and supporters of justice, law, and order. This unique facet makes Law Officer much more than just a publishing company, but a true advocate for the law enforcement profession.

Related Posts

Joseph Steven Jorgenson

Minnesota man confesses to killing, dismembering two girlfriends in two years

January 4, 2025
Anthony Nephew

Duluth man kills 2 sons, wife, and ex before killing himself

November 11, 2024
John Herbert Sawchak

‘Neighbor from Hell’ charged with attempted murder in Minneapolis shooting

October 28, 2024
We the People

Alpha News releases new must-see documentary, ‘Minnesota v. We the People’

October 17, 2024
Ranger Kevin Grossheim

National Park ranger dies during family rescue

October 8, 2024
Joshua Anthony Jones

Felon charged in Minneapolis shooting spree that killed two, injured two last month

October 6, 2024
Load More

Latest Articles

I’m Not Broken, I’m Dangerous

July 4, 2025

The Problem with Promotions

June 20, 2025
Melissa Hortman

Former Minnesota House Speaker Assassinated in Attack on Multiple Lawmakers

June 14, 2025

Sheriff: If You Throw a Brick At Our Deputy, ‘We Will Kill You, Graveyard Dead’

June 13, 2025

Former USAID Officer and Executives Plead Guilty in $550 Million Bribery Scheme

June 13, 2025

A Case Study in Federal Corruption and Media Silence

June 12, 2025
Load More

Weekly E-Newsletter

Subscribe—and get the latest news and editorials direct from Law Officer each week!

[newsletter_form type="minimal"]

Protect Your Privacy

JOIN THE FIGHT

BE COURAGEOUS

POPULAR GEAR

Tactical Pants

Tactical Boots

 

FIND MORE…

Law Officer

© 2024 LawOfficer.com

LawOfficer.com

  • Home
  • About
  • Advertise
  • Privacy Policy
  • Corrections
  • Contact

Speak up for justice, law & order

No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • About
    • Authors
  • Advertise
  • Articles
    • Archives
    • Chaplain
    • Crime & Controversy
    • Community
    • Cop Humor
    • Editorial
    • Op-ed
    • Gear & Technology
    • Investigations
    • Laws & Legal
    • Leadership
    • News
    • Officer Down
    • On Duty
    • Tactics
  • Network
    • Learn more
  • Training
  • Officer Privacy
  • Jobs
  • Contact

© 2024 LawOfficer.com