Jurors in the Chauvin trial for the death of George Floyd found Chauvin guilty on all three charges against him – unintentional second-degree murder, third-degree murder, and second-degree manslaughter. The trial has been closely watched across the country if not the world.
Many politicians had weighed in on the case prior to the verdict’s announcement this afternoon. In particular, Representative Maxine Water’s visit to the Minneapolis area over the weekend in which she called for more confrontation was met with pushback in Washington D.C. with responses that Waters should be censured for her comments.
Additionally, there had been attention focussed on the fact that juror members’ biographic information was published in the Minneapolis Star Tribune, without naming them. Critics noted that the newspaper had published sufficient information about the jurors that “internet sleuths and local snoops may be able to figure out who they are.”
One of the jurors reportedly tweeted that she was thankful for all the support received during the trial because there was “so much pressure.” Chauvin’s attorney’s requests for a change in venue and sequestering of the jury – due to the nationwide publicity the case received – were denied.
“Thanks to all the support while I was in it” Juror talking about the case to outsiders while the trial was on-going. #Chauvin #APPEAL Talk about tweets that won’t age well. https://t.co/drNJPO3N8Z
— kp (@red_kc) April 20, 2021
The judge in the Chauvin trial commented yesterday that he wished politicians would respect the rule of law and stop commenting on the ongoing trial. Judge Peter Cahill told defense attorney Eric Nelson on Monday that Waters’ comments could be grounds for appeal.
