{"id":119237,"date":"2021-03-31T15:08:33","date_gmt":"2021-03-31T15:08:33","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/precoinnews.com\/?p=119237"},"modified":"2021-03-31T15:08:33","modified_gmt":"2021-03-31T15:08:33","slug":"george-floyd-murals-vandalized-with-word-fentanyl-scrawled-on-face-as-derek-chauvins-lawyers-blame-drugs-for-death","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/precoinnews.com\/world-news\/george-floyd-murals-vandalized-with-word-fentanyl-scrawled-on-face-as-derek-chauvins-lawyers-blame-drugs-for-death\/","title":{"rendered":"George Floyd murals vandalized with word fentanyl scrawled on face as Derek Chauvin\u2019s lawyers blame drugs for death"},"content":{"rendered":"

MURALS paying tribute to George Floyd are being vandalized this week as lawyers for ex-Minneapolis cop Derek Chauvin argue that drugs were responsible for the father-of-one\u2019s death.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Floyd\u2019s eyes and mouth were covered in black crosses and the word \u201cfentanyl\u201d spray painted across his forehead on Monday in a mural in Phoenix, Arizona.\u00a0<\/p>\n

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It came after Chauvin\u2019s defense team argued during the trial\u2019s opening statements on Monday that the former police officer was not responsible for the 46-year-old black man\u2019s death.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Attorney Eric Nelson instead contested that Floyd had died due to the drugs found in his body during his autopsy and heart disease.\u00a0<\/p>\n

The Phoenix mural was painted last year on the back wall of a private home by New York City artist Jeremie "Bacpac" Franko, Fox 13 reports. <\/p>\n

It depicts a $20 bill, symbolizing the counterfeit bill that Floyd was accused of using in the lead up to his arrest outside of a Cup Foods in Minneapolis.\u00a0<\/p>\n

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The father-of-one died on May 25 after being placed in handcuffs and pinned to the ground by Chauvin, 45, and other officers.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n

"The reason why I'm doing a $20 bill is because George Floyd was killed over a $20 bill. We may never know if it was or wasn't counterfeit," artist Franko said. <\/p>\n

The artist fixed the mural on Tuesday, adding a silhouette of himself standing beside the bill. <\/p>\n

"I'll fix it again and again. It's my message and my art and I want the right conversation to be had," Bacpac told 3TV. <\/p>\n

"I painted my silhouette as an indication to say that you can\u2019t burn your message on top of mine. I am going to stay right here and fix it every time."<\/p>\n

Another tribute to Floyd was crudely defaced in Pittsburgh on Tuesday, according to KDKA. <\/p>\n

A penis was painted over Floyd\u2019s face and glasses added.\u00a0<\/p>\n

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The high-profile murder trial began on Monday with defense attorney Nelson contesting the prosecution\u2019s claims that the force Chauvin used during Floyd's arrest as responsible for his arrest.<\/p>\n

He noted that Hennepin County Medical Examiner Dr. Andrew Baker revealed\u00a0"many other issues" in the report, including coronary disease, an enlarged heart and swelling of the lungs.<\/p>\n

"The state was not satisfied with Dr. Baker's work, and so they have contracted with numerous physicians to contradict Dr. Baker's findings," Nelson said.<\/p>\n

He also claimed that there were no signs that Floyd was asphyxiated or that his airflow was restricted in any way, despite the findings of the medical examiner.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Instead he claimed that the fentanyl and methamphetamine found in Floyd\u2019s body contributed to his death. <\/p>\n

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Attorney for the prosecution Jerry Blackwell opened his argument by showing jurors the infamous social media footage shared of Floyd\u2019s arrest and death.\u00a0<\/p>\n

He blasted claims Floyd died from an overdose as bogus. <\/p>\n

Nelson also argued that the \u201cangry\u201d crowd of bystanders were the reason officers did not give Floyd medical attention as he gasped for air on the ground.\u00a0<\/p>\n

He said that the witnesses had posed a \u201cthreat\u201d to the cops and diverted their attention away from Floyd.\u00a0<\/p>\n

The third day of Chauvin\u2019s trial continues on Wednesday and is expected to last four weeks.\u00a0<\/p>\n

The jury heard testimony from bystanders who watched Floyd's death during the first two days of the trial.<\/p>\n

They included an off-duty firefighter and paramedic who begged to help Floyd after he went unconsious while being held down<\/p>\n