Cop-Turned-Law Professor Helps Prosecution Rest Its Case In Derek Chauvin Trial

Someone who doesn’t have a pulse doesn’t current a risk.

— Professor Seth Stoughton of the University of South Carolina School of Law, in feedback given on the close of his testimony on the trial of Derek Chauvin, the police officer charged with killing George Floyd. “The use of force had the foreseeable effect and substantial likelihood of resulting in death or great bodily harm,” Stoughton informed the jury. “No reasonable officer would have believed that that was appropriate, acceptable or reasonable use of force.” Stoughton served as an officer with the Tallahassee Police Department earlier than he obtained his undergraduate and regulation levels.

Staci Zaretsky is a senior editor at Above the Law, what place she’s labored since 2011. She’d love to listen to from you, so please be at liberty to email her with any ideas, questions, feedback, or critiques. You can keep track of her on Twitter or join along with her on LinkedIn.