- Video of Chauvin kneeling on the neck of Floyd led to worldwide protests against racism and policing.
The ex-officer accused of killing George Floyd says he will not testify on his own behalf as the defence rests their case and court is adjourned.
Derek Chauvin denies killing Floyd. Jurors are due to begin deliberating his fate on Monday morning.
Tensions in Minneapolis are running high after an unrelated police shooting of a black man in a nearby suburb.
Experts say it would be unusual for a suspect to take the stand in their own defence during a trial.
Before the jury was brought into the courtroom on Thursday, Chauvin was asked a series of questions about his decision not to testify.
Read also: Doctor Testifies George Floyd Died From ‘Low-Level Of Oxygen’
His defence lawyer, Eric Nelson, began by asking whether he and Chauvin had previously discussed his decision.
“Correct,” Chauvin said several times.
“To say we’ve gone kind of back and forth on the matter is kind of understatement, isn’t that right?” asked Nelson.
“Yes it is,” Chauvin responded, as they both briefly smiled.
“I will invoke my Fifth Amendment privilege today,” Chauvin then told the court, referring to the constitutional right to stay silent in fear of self-incrimination.
Asked by the judge whether this was his decision alone, and whether anyone else had unfairly influenced his decision, Chauvin responded: “No promises or threats, your honour.”
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