Chief Medical Examiner Dr. Andrew Baker& #39;s expected testimony about the cause of George Floyd& #39;s death could pose challenges for both the state and defense if it mirrors what he& #39;s said in at least a half-dozen briefings with state and federal prosecutors. http://strib.mn/3wGjiza ">https://strib.mn/3wGjiza&q...

In an unusual legal maneuver, state prosecutors are seemingly distancing themselves from Baker& #39;s findings, by rounding up other medical experts to testify, including a veteran forensic specialist who helped train Baker.

For instance, today, rather than put Baker on the stand to discuss his autopsy findings, the state called Martin Tobin, a pulmonary specialist, who testified that Floyd died because he couldn& #39;t breathe while handcuffed on his stomach. http://strib.mn/31Wo4ub ">https://strib.mn/31Wo4ub&q...

Cause of death& #39;s a central theme of this case, and as such Baker has emerged as a key witness. He concluded it was cardiac arrest. Floyd’s family believes he died of asphyxiation and Chauvin’s attorney has argued that he succumbed to a drug overdose/underlying health issues.

After announcing his autopsy results last June, Baker was inundated with threats, prompting the county to spend $4,325 to install emergency fencing and concrete barriers around the medical examiner’s downtown office office downtown. The barricades remain. http://strib.mn/2QcZ3bh ">https://strib.mn/2QcZ3bh&q...

Two county commissioners even voted against Baker& #39;s reappointment, with one saying she took exception to the autopsy& #39;s mention of "potential intoxicants in his system." http://strib.mn/2RjPzf8 ">https://strib.mn/2RjPzf8&q...