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

This law prof's testimony was stirring.

By Staci Zaretsky

onApril 15, 2021 at 4:16 PMApril 15, 2021 at 2:37 PM

(Photo by Stephen Maturen/Getty Images)

Someone who does not have a pulse does not present a threat.

— Professor Seth Stoughton of the University of South Carolina School of Law, in comments given at the close of his testimony at 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 told 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 before he obtained his undergraduate and law degrees.

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Staci Zaretsky is a senior editor at Above the Law, where she’s worked since 2011. She’d love to hear from you, so please feel free to email her with any tips, questions, comments, or critiques. You can follow her on Twitter or connect with her on LinkedIn.