Politics
Derek Chauvin trial: When does the trial start?
PROCEEDINGS for the trial of ex-Minnesota police officer Derek Chauvin, who was involved in the death of George Floyd, are set to begin.
Floyd’s death sparked worldwide protests and the resurgence of the Black Lives Matter movement in 2020.
Demonstrators protest outside the Hennepin County Government Center before jury selection begins at the trial of former Minneapolis Police officer Derek Chauvin[/caption]
When does the Derek Chauvin trial start?
Jury selection begins Monday, March 8, 2021, for the highly-anticipated murder trial of George Floyd, reported the NY Post.
Floyd was killed by Chauvin on Labor Day weekend in 2020 after the officer held his knee to Floyd’s neck for nearly nine minutes, pressing his face into the ground and asphyxiating him.
The horrifying video of the incident went viral on social media.
George Floyd, 46, was pronounced dead at a hospital shortly thereafter officer Derek Chauvin knelt on his neck[/caption]
In the footage, Floyd can repeatedly be heard saying, “I can’t breathe” – a slogan adopted by the Black Lives Matter movement.
The jury selection process will start in Hennepin County District Court in Minnesota, with opening arguments scheduled for no earlier than March 29.
Opening statements could be delayed, however, after a Court of Appeals ruling that said Hennepin District Judge Peter Cahill made an error in dismissing an additional third-degree murder charge against Chauvin.
How can I watch the Derek Chauvin trial?
The trial will be streamed by CourtTV.
You can watch the proceeding here. The network will provide live coverage of the trial with commentary.
Minnesota court officials anticipate that the trial will last between two and four weeks. There will be a “massive law-enforcement presence” in and outside the courthouse, including state trooper and national guard members.
Protesters carrying a fake casket take a knee and raise their fists during a silent march in memory of George Floyd[/caption]
Authorities are planning to surrounded the courthouse with concrete barriers, security fencing and barbed wire.
Jury selection will follow atypical guidelines due to Covid-19 protocols as well as the highly-sensitive nature of the case.
George was killed by former police officer Derek Chauvin in 2020[/caption]
The court will select a panel of 12 jurors and four alternates — two more alternates than normal.
Cahill ruled that that only one member of George Floyd’s family at a time will be allowed to attend the trial of Chauvin trial.
The same rule will apply to Chauvin’s family, and those in attendance will also be require to practice social distancing and wear masks.
What charges have been brought against Derek Chauvin?
Chauvin was fired from the police force after the George Floyd incident, and was subsequently arrested.
Derek Chauvin was fired from the Minnesota police force and subsequently charged[/caption]
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He has been charged with second-degree murder and manslaughter. A third-degree murder charged could be reinstated depending on the ruling for judge Cahill’s error.
The three other Minnesota cops who were at the scene of Floyd’s death will also be tried seperately.
J. Alexander Kueng, Thomas Lane, and Tou Thao are due to stand trial on charges of aiding and abetting, second-degree murder, and manslaughter reported the Post.
