The trial of Derek Chauvin, the white American policeman accused of killing George Floyd in May last year, is due to begin later on Monday.

Mr Chauvin was recorded by passers-by in the city of Minneapolis kneeling on the neck of Mr Floyd, who was black, for more than nine minutes.

The incident sparked protests in the US and across the world against police brutality and racism.

Mr Chauvin, 45, is one of four officers involved to stand trial.

He is facing the most serious charges of the four, including second-degree murder, which carries a sentence of up to 40 years in prison. Mr Chauvin, who was fired from the police, has pleaded not guilty.

Family and friends of George Floyd held a vigil and prayer service in Minneapolis ahead of the trial.

“We are [a] God-fearing family; we [are] church people. So, therefore, I’m just going to end it on this – we’re asking the system for justice,” his brother Terrence said.

Another of his brothers, Philonise Floyd said: “I have a big hole right now in my heart. It can’t be patched up… I need justice for George. We need a conviction.”

Twelve jurors – plus two alternate (back-up) jurors – will remain anonymous and unseen throughout the televised trial.

Prosecutors are expected to play the video showing Mr Chauvin’s knee on Mr Floyd’s neck early on in the trial. In order to secure a conviction, they must prove that his conduct was a “substantial causal factor” in Mr Floyd’s death.

Mr Chauvin’s defence team is expected to focus on the fact that Mr Floyd used drugs before his arrest which may have contributed to his death, along with underlying health conditions, and whether Mr Chauvin followed police procedure.

Fifteen jurors – nine women and six men – have been selected; nine of them are white and six are black or multiracial.

One juror – who was a back-up option in case a juror dropped out before proceedings began – is expected to be dismissed on Monday, and the trial is expected to go ahead with 12 jurors and two alternates.

They were asked to submit questionnaires describing their existing knowledge of the case, any previous contact with police, and their media habits.

A graphic showing the breakdown of jurors in the Derek Chauvin trial

The trial is expected to last for about four weeks.

The courthouse in central Minneapolis has been fortified with concrete barriers, fencing, and barbed and razor wire.

The 46-year-old bought a pack of cigarettes at a convenience store in South Minneapolis on the evening of 25 May 2020.

A shop assistant believed he had used a counterfeit $20 bill and called the police after Mr Floyd refused to give the cigarettes back.

Officers arrived and handcuffed him, but when they tried to put him into the squad car, he resisted. A struggle ended with Mr Floyd face down on the pavement.

Mr Chauvin placed his left knee on Mr Floyd’s neck, and kept it there for more than nine minutes, according to prosecutors. Two other officers helped pin him down, while another prevented witnesses from intervening.

More than 20 times, Mr Floyd said he could not breathe. The video shows him go limp and get carried away by police.

He was pronounced dead in hospital an hour later.