Two autopsies of George Floyd were published Monday June 1. One, official, concludes that this 46-year-old African American died "by homicide" because of the "pressure exerted on his neck" by the knee of a policeman from Minneapolis, and was drugged with fentanyl, a powerful opiate.

The victim made a "cardiac and pulmonary arrest" because of his immobilization by the police, detailed the medical examiner of the county of Hennepin in a press release. In his report, he listed "other important parameters: arteriosclerosis and high blood pressure; fentanyl poisoning; recent use of amphetamines."

Until then, the official forensic doctor assured not to have "physical evidence supporting a diagnosis of traumatic asphyxia or strangulation". "The combined effect of Mr. Floyd's arrest and detention by the police, his medical history and the possible presence of psychoactive substances in his body probably contributed to his death," he said in a statement. preliminary report.

The final results were made public just after family lawyers presented the results of another autopsy, conducted by "independent" experts they had commissioned. These doctors "concluded that the death was the result of prolonged pressure asphyxiation," lawyer Ben Crump said at a press conference.

Funeral on June 9

George Floyd, who police suspected he wanted to forge a counterfeit $ 20 bill, died when he was arrested in Minneapolis in the northern United States a week ago. According to a video of the drama, which has since toured the world, an agent kept him pressed to the ground, kneeling on his neck for almost nine minutes.

This police officer, Derek Chauvin, 44, was dismissed, arrested and charged with "manslaughter". However, his three colleagues present at the time of the events are not currently the subject of any prosecution.

George Floyd's funeral will take place on June 9 in Houston, his hometown, where his family still lives, the family lawyer said. The coffin will be exposed in the evening for a tribute open to the public. Several ceremonies in his memory are planned by then. A first commemoration will take place on Thursday afternoon in Minneapolis. A second tribute is scheduled for Saturday in North Carolina, where he was born. Former boxing star Floyd Mayweather will fund the funeral costs, one of his representatives announced on Monday evening.

With AFP

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