Ex-police officer Derek Chauvin awaits the possibility of a second trial in light of new evidence potentially adding another murder charge onto his existing case involving the murder of George Floyd.
Derek Chauvin, ex-Minneapolis Police Officer, was accused of the murder of George Floyd in May 2020. Mr Chauvin knelt on the unarmed victim’s neck for over seven minutes, slowly killing Mr Floyd. This traumatic event was recorded by a passer-by and sparked worldwide protests demanding justice for his family and the American judicial system.
Mr Chauvin faces charges of second-degree unintentional murder and manslaughter which is punishable by a maximum of 40 years in prison.
“Mr Chauvin is currently on a $1 million bail as he awaits his second court hearing.”
Last year, the charge of third-degree murder was dismissed, but prosecutors are demanding to have it reinstated. Mr Chauvin’s lawyers, however, are expected to appeal this request which will cause further delays.
Mr Chauvin is currently on a $1 million bail as he awaits his second court hearing. The other three officers involved in the murder of George Floyd have also been released from duty and are awaiting trial later this year.
How is the jury being selected?
12 jury members will be chosen, along with four alternates. They will be selected by lawyers from both the defence and the prosecution from a selection of eligible locals.
Each local must complete a 16-page questionnaire about their news viewership, if they watched Mr Floyd’s arrest video, their view of the US criminal justice system, and other questions relevant to the case.
“Jury selection is a crucial element of all US court cases and can make or break a case.”
Jury selection will begin today and is expected to take three weeks, with the court expected to resume on 29th March 2021.
On walking past the courthouse, 34-year-old army veteran Forest McClarron said: “I hope they find unbiased people. Just honest, unbiased people.”
Jury selection is a crucial element of all US court cases and can make or break a case.
Public Reaction
People all around the world have been actively seeking justice for George Floyd and this has continued for nearly a year as the American judicial system has had one man on trial and three in waiting.
Hundreds of locals have been gathering around the courthouse in Minneapolis awaiting the all-too-important trial of Derek Chauvin, showing their disgust at the existing corruption still in existence in their own police force.
“This case shows the inequalities that still exist in America today”
Hundreds of people demanding justice for George Floyd and others killed by police as the trial of Derek Chauvin begins in Minneapolis. pic.twitter.com/lnS5B3bbrR
— Mark Vancleave (@MDVancleave) March 8, 2021
The murder of George Floyd in May 2020 sparked outrage and the Black Lives Matter movement which has since taken the world by storm. This case shows the inequalities that still exist in America today and the importance of re-analysing and re-structuring the US police and judicial system to prevent such an attack again.
Whilst systematic racism is no longer embedded in US law, in practice, a lot more still needs to be done.
Madeleine Raine
Featured image courtesy of Benedikt Geyer via Unsplash. This image has in no way been altered. Image license is available here.