Morning Briefing
Summaries of health policy coverage from major news organizations
Police Body Camera Video Captures George Floyd's Harrowing Pleas
Almost from the moment George Floyd encountered the police on May 25, with a gun pointed at him, he appeared terrified and emotionally distraught, according to police camera footage that was newly made available for viewing Wednesday at a courthouse in downtown Minneapolis. Mr. Floyd was visibly shaken, with his head down, and crying, as if he were in the throes of a panic attack, as he put his hands on the steering wheel in response to a frantic order from an officer. (Arango, Furber and Bogel-Burroughs, 7/15)
The footage, captured by cameras worn by two of the four officers charged in Floyd鈥檚 May 25 death, presents an even more desperate scene than previously known. Floyd appeared visibly shaken and scared of police, whom he called 鈥渟ir鈥 and 鈥淢r. Officer.鈥 He moaned and begged for his life after they pinned him to the ground, a white officer鈥檚 knee at his throat for more than eight minutes. (Bailey, 7/15)
Within seconds of tapping the butt of a metal flashlight on the driver鈥檚 side window of Mr. Floyd鈥檚 vehicle and ordering him to show his hands, Mr. Lane drew his service weapon and pointed it at Mr. Floyd. 鈥淚鈥檓 sorry, I鈥檓 so sorry. God dang, man. I got, I got shot the same way, Mr. Officer, before,鈥 Mr. Floyd said through tears as he lay his head on the steering wheel, before placing his hands atop his head at Mr. Lane鈥檚 order. (Ailworth and Wernau, 7/15)