MINNEAPOLIS — On day seven of the trial of three former Minneapolis police officers, Hennepin County Medical Examiner Andrew Baker continued his testimony on factors contributing to George Floyd's death, as a defense attorney raised questions as to whether outside influences may have impacted his analysis.
On cross-examination from Robert Paule, attorney for Tou Thao, Baker said he and his office became subjects of protests after Hennepin County Attorney Mike Freeman published his preliminary findings days after Floyd's death in the charging document for Derek Chauvin, highlighting cardiovascular disease and "potential intoxicants" in Floyd's system.
Baker said his office received phone calls around the clock as protests and riots erupted across the city. "I would say by a very large margin they were threatening," he said, adding some threats targeted specific people, their families and included home addresses.
