Yep, you read that right.
After literally turning the whole world against himself and becoming basically the most hated man of 2020 for his brutal murder of African-American man George Floyd, Derek Chauvin was convicted of second-degree murder in a trial that many believed could have no other just outcome.
And now he’s appealing the verdict. Seriously?
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Derek Chauvin’s Lawyer Seeks New Trial
Chauvin’s lawyer, Eric Nelson, is claiming misconduct by prosecutors and jurors, believing that the trial that sentenced him was not fair.
Nelson is asking for a hearing where jurors will be interviewed and assessed again, to prove improper conduct on the jurors’ part.
The jurors are also alleged to have convicted Chauvin out of overwhelming social pressure that he is guilty, rather than their independent judgment based on facts presented at the trial.
Nelson claims that the intense media coverage and social commentary on the incident intimidated the jurors into giving the verdict, swaying their opinions towards a guilty conviction and threatening retribution if they voted otherwise.
Well, where do you want to find jurors who have never read an article about what Chauvin did? Mars?
Allegations are also filed against Minnesota state prosecutors for misconduct, where they purportedly “abused their discretion” by refusing Nelson’s two requests to change the trial venue and to quarantine the jury from outside media.
Several previous requests for another trial have also been denied, which Nelson cited as further evidence for the court’s error.
Nelson requested for more time for investigations to be complete, though he did not accuse any specific juror of any particular improper act.
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What Did Derek Chauvin Do?
In case you were really on Mars, here’s a refresher.
On 25 May last year, George Floyd, a 46-year-old African American man, was murdered by Derek Chauvin, a white police officer, when he was being arrested for possibly using counterfeit currency.
Chauvin knelt on Floyd’s neck for more than nine minutes, causing asphyxiation and eventually a cardiac arrest. He did not stop when Floyd showed signs of great distress, and his fellow arresting officers aided in the lethal action and stopped bystanders from rendering assistance to Floyd.
Videos recorded of the incident soon became public, and incited worldwide outrage against police brutality and institutionalised racism.
Chauvin’s trial began on 8 March this year, and he was convicted of second-degree murder, third-degree murder, and manslaughter in the second degree on 20 April. The live coverage of the trial was watched by at least 23 million people according to CBS Minnesota, and his sentencing hearing is scheduled eight weeks later.
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Featured Image: Tverdokhlib / Shutterstock.com
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