'Believe your eyes, it’s a homicide': key quotes from day one of the Chauvin trial

Prosecutor says ex-officer betrayed police principles in killing of George Floyd while defense argues Chauvin followed his training

Opening arguments got under way on Monday morning in the trial of the white former police officer Derek Chauvin, charged with the murder of George Floyd, a Black man, in Minneapolis last May, after Chauvin kneeled on his neck during an arrest.

The Minnesota prosecutor Jerry Blackwell began, saying Chauvin betrayed his police principles. He also played the entire bystander video that showed Floyd begging for his life and then passing out as he is pinned to the street by officers, including Chauvin who presses on his neck for more than nine minutes.