MINNEAPOLIS — Derek Chauvin’s defense attorney says the former officer was simply following police procedure in using his knee to restrain George Floyd.

During cross examination this week, defense attorney Eric Nelson got Minneapolis police trainers to admit that police are trained to use their knee to help handcuff suspects.

Police bodycam video shows that officers held George Floyd face down on the pavement for 9 minutes and 29 seconds – even though he was already handcuffed.

Why he wasn’t placed in the side recovery position – even after Floyd lost consciousness – may be one of the key questions Derek Chauvin’s defense attorney may need to answer when he is expected to begin presenting his case next week