Derek Chauvin, the police officer charged with the murder of Minneapolis man George Floyd is set to go on trial.

The death of George Floyd in May 2020 sparked protests and unrest across the United States, drawing global outrage.

Onlookers captured Floyd’s final moments, recording Derek Chauvin, a white police officer, kneeling on the neck of George Flooyd, a black man.

Derek Chauvin (L) is facing the charge of the second-degree murder of George Floyd (Getty Images)

The eyes of the United States will be following the trial with arguments set to get underway on March 29.

When does the trial get underway?

Arguments will get underway at 3pm UK time on March 29.

It is expected that the trial will last a month.

Is it possible to watch the trial live?

The trial will be televised in a historic first for the state of Minnesota.

Three television camera will stream events from the trial to a global audience after access was granted to controversial US network Court TV famed for its “gavel-to-gavel” footage.

UK viewers will be able to stream events live from Court TV’s streaming platform.

It’s also possible to watch Court TV on UK television at channel 179 (Sky); channel 177 (Freesat) or channel 89 (Freeview).

What has Derek Chauvin been charged with?

Derek Chauvin is facing charges of second and third degree murder.

According to Minnesota statute someone who is guilty of second degree murder is defined as a person who “causes the death of a human being with intent to effect the death of that person or another, but without premeditation."

Minnesota defines third-degree murder as the causing of death “by perpetrating an act eminently dangerous to others and evincing a depraved mind, without regard for human life, is guilty of murder in the third degree.”

A person who is found guilty of third degree murder faces no more than 25 years in prison, while a person who is found guilty of second degree murder could face up to 40 years behind bars.

What happened to George Floyd?

George Floyd, 46, was accused by a shop assistant of using a counterfeit bill to buy cigarettes on May 25.

Police were called after Mr Floyd refused to return the purchased cigarettes.

He was then taken into police custody but resisted when they tried to put him into the police car.

A struggle ensued ending with Mr Floyd lying on the street face down. The aftermath of the struggle was filmed by onlookers with Officer Chauvin shown kneeling on Mr Floyd’s neck for nine minutes, according to prosecutors.

Mr Floyd said he could not breathe twenty times.

The video showed him losing consciousness before arresting officers carried him away from the scene.

He was pronounced dead in hospital an hour later.

Derek Chauvin trial: when does police officer charged with murder of George Floyd go on trial? How to watch opening statements live