The prosecution has rested in the trial of Derek Chauvin for causing the death of George Floyd. The defense will begin its case tomorrow and it is expected to conclude by the end of the week.
Here are the standard jury instructions for murder in the third degree in the State of Minnesota (hat tip: Legal Insurrection).
With juries anything can happen and I think it’s quite likely that Officer Chauvin will be cleared of the more serious charges (I don’t think they fit) but be convicted of murder in the third degree. I also don’t believe that will satisfy a lot of people.
He could also be cleared of all charges or convicted on all charges. As I say pretty much anything can happen.
I wish more reporting incorporated jury instructions because that’s the framework in which the jury sees the case. The link shows the problems though — they are long, fairly boring, and still subject to argument.
I have not followed the trial though. I recall a few issues that would create reasonable, whether they necessitate any juror to feel that way is another matter. I fully expect the media to misrepresent that and if there is an acquittal, the media will have been contributory.
I also think that the “point of view” reporting that is being done is a contributing factor to civil disorder following these high profile cases and trials.
I think people are still predisposed to give police the benefit of the doubt. The only chance of conviction is the video. Without that the officer walks. One hopes the jury can see through the BS about Fentanyl.
OT- Latest data on efficiency in getting out the vaccines. Red states not doing well. Cant tell if it is poorly run govt effort or resistance to taking vaccines.
https://www.beckershospitalreview.com/public-health/states-ranked-by-percentage-of-covid-19-vaccines-administered.html
In a way it’s a shame for jurisprudential precedent that a healthy 230 lb. George Floyd was slammed to the ground and throttled by a 157 lb. Chauvin.
It would have been interesting to explore the limits and liabilities of police medical diagnosis under duress in the field of illness, physical and mental, of suspects unknown to them.
Unheralded are the legions of alcoholic Native American men, lifted from their slumber at the curb to an unattended jail cell, where they predictably and compliantly died of hypoglycemia and were summarily buried in the local potters field.
No $27,000,000 payout for their families, in fact, no grief, or empathy.
Any honest American will admit that we owe a debt to African Americans who behave like rubbish, yet at the same time still consider Native Americans to be actual rubbish.
“n a way it’s a shame for jurisprudential precedent that a healthy 230 lb. George Floyd was slammed to the ground and throttled by a 157 lb. Chauvin.”
There were 3 other police. He was in handcuffs. Yes, we have also treated Native Americans poorly.
Steve