Chauvin trial finishes Wednesday with testimony from forensic scientists

KSTP
In this image taken from video, Susan Neith, a forensic chemist with NMS Labs in Pennsylvania, testifies as Hennepin County Judge Peter Cahill presides Wednesday, April 7, 2021, in the trial of former Minneapolis police Officer Derek Chauvin at the Hennepin County Courthouse in Minneapolis. Chauvin is charged in the May 25, 2020 death of George Floyd.[Courtroom Video]

4:48 p.m.

Prosecutors finished questioning Neith and defense attorney Eric Nelson declined the opportunity to question her.

Judge Peter Cahill then announced the court was in recess until Thursday morning at around 9:15 a.m.

Click here to see what happened in Wednesday morning’s session

4:30 p.m.

Susan Neith, a forensic chemist with NMS Labs in Pennsylvania, was called to the stand to testify and prosecutor Erin Eldridge began questioning her.

4:10 p.m.

Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension forensic scientist Breahna Giles was called to testify and prosecutor Matthew Frank began with questioning.

4 p.m.

The court is on a 10-minute break.

2:40 p.m.

Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension forensic scientist McKenzie Anderson was called to testify and prosecutors began asking her questions about evidence documented in both the vehicle Floyd was in and a Minneapolis Police squad car at the scene.

2:19 p.m.

The court is on a 10-minute break to discuss an exhibit to be shown in court.

1:15 p.m.

The state is asking Reyerson about what was recovered at the scene that day on May 25, 2020. Two $20 bills were shown in a photo, and Reyerson adds that a pipe and pill were also found at the scene.

He testified that Floyd’s SUV and the squad car at the scene were processed on May 27 by the BCA Crime Scene team.

Reyerson states Dragon Wok, located across the street from Cup Foods, did not want to give their own footage from their viewpoint of the incident. A warrant was issued by the BCA to obtain that footage.

Reyerson was asked if it’s typical for a BCA agent to attend the autopsy, He responded "yes," but added they couldn’t in this case because of COVID-19 restrictions.

Frank is going through body camera footage with Reyerson.

The state wraps up their questioning. The defense takes over.

"It’s fair to say that the BCA’s investigation into this case was fairly extensive," Nelson asked the BCA agent.

"Yes," Reyerson responded.

Reyerson said there were about 200 citizen witnesses interviewed. He also confirmed that 440 individual police reports were written and submitted regarding the case.

Reyerson said he heard Floyd say in one of the body camera’s footage, "I took too many drugs." This is a different answer heard from Sgt. Stiger earlier this morning.

The defense believes the liquid seen coming from under the car is condensation from the vehicle.

Los Angeles Police Department Sgt. Jody Stiger finished his testimony Wednesday morning during the Derek Chauvin trial and BCA Senior Special Agent James Reyerson will resume his spot on the witness stand when the court is back in session.

Judge Peter Cahill says the court will reconvene at 1:15 p.m. after a lunch break.

Questioning from the state and defense continue to focus on the use of force during the incident on May 25, 2020.