"I can't breathe" has become a rallying cry for Black Lives Matter protesters across the country after George Floyd was murdered by a former Minnesota police officer last year.

It's the same thing a Phoenix man, Muhammad Muhaymin, said as Phoenix police officers held him down in 2017.

He died after the encounter, and now his family has launched a $10 million wrongful death lawsuit accusing those officers of excessive force.

There was a key hearing this week to decide if the case will make it to trial, but a federal judge took the rare step of closing the courtroom to the public.

For more on the situation, The Show spoke with KJZZ's Matthew Casey, who has been following the proceedings.

More Stories From KJZZ

• As America Elects More Black Leaders, Change Remains A Challenge
• Justice Dept. Shares Concerns With AZ Senate Audit, Recount