Chauvin Trial to Include ‘Spark of Life’ on Floyd

MINNEAPOLIS -- Prosecutors trying a former Minneapolis police officer in George Floyd's death plan to use a legal doctrine called ``spark of life'' to humanize Floyd in front of jurors.

Assistant Attorney General Matthew Frank says he plans to call two witnesses to provide the testimony.

Spark-of-life is a term unique to Minnesota that allows prosecutors to describe a murder victim's life to jurors. It's a contentious doctrine. Defense attorneys argue spark-of-life testimony has nothing to do with evidence and allows prosecutors to unfairly build sympathy with jurors.

The moves could backfire on Frank. If he paints too rosy a picture of Floyd defense attorneys could cross-examine his witnesses about Floyd's drug use.