Witness With George Floyd Before His Arrest Will Not Take the Stand

“Mr. Hall cannot answer any of the questions that defense put forward, and I’m happy to expand on the reasons why he can’t answer any of those questions.” “Let’s just focus on how Mr. Floyd looked in the S.U.V. because that was the very limited group of questions that I thought might not incriminate him.” “Absolutely, Judge. And if you look at the list that defense proposed, I think that really starts getting into that topic at Question 7. So Question 7 proposed by the defense was, ‘After conducting your business in Cup Foods, did you return to the vehicle with Mr. Floyd?’ Mr. Hall cannot answer that question. Mr. Hall cannot put himself in that car with Mr. Floyd. Again, this was a car that was searched twice and drugs were recovered twice. If Mr. Hall puts himself in that car, he exposes himself to constructive possession charges of the drugs that were found in that car.” “You’ve had a chance to look at the questions that were proposed by both sides?” “I have.” “Would you be willing to answer those if I were to put you on the stand and swear you in as a witness?” “No, I’m not.” “OK, and why would you not answer those?” “I’m fearful of criminal charges going forward. I have open charges that’s. not settled yet. I’ve got personal stuff.” “So basically, you are invoking your Fifth Amendment right against compelled self-incrimination?” “Yes, sir. All right. Thank you, sir. You can have a seat.”