Chauvin's defense attempts to portray bystanders as an angry mob that diverted officers' attention

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Mar 30, 2021 Chauvin's defense attempts to portray bystanders as an angry mob that diverted officers' attention During his opening statement Monday, the attorney for the former Minneapolis police officer charged with murder in George Floyd's death claimed that the crowd of onlookers who witnessed Floyd's death last May had made the responding officers worry for their safety and diverted their attention from him. Derek Chauvin's attorney Eric Nelson had a particularly tense exchange Tuesday with one witness, an off-duty firefighter who came across the scene while out for a walk, suggesting that she "got louder and more frustrated and upset" as the minutes ticked by and Chauvin remained on Floyd's neck. Read More Get the NBC News Mobile App Follow NBC News Check out all of NBCNEWS Newsletters here. Update Preferences | Unsubscribe | Contact | Privacy Update Preferences Unsubscribe Contact Privacy