City Deprived Derek Chauvin of a Fair Trial: Appeal to Minnesota Supreme Court

On April 20, 2021, Derek Chauvin was found guilty of murder and manslaughter in the death of George Floyd. The verdict brought a sense of relief to many who had been following the trial closely. However, the case is far from over.

Derek Chauvin’s defense team has filed an appeal with the Minnesota Supreme Court, arguing that he did not receive a fair trial due to the city’s actions. Specifically, the defense claims that the city’s decision to settle with George Floyd’s family for $27 million and the related public comments from city officials created a prejudicial atmosphere that made it impossible for Chauvin to receive a fair trial.

It’s worth noting that settlements between cities and families of victims in police brutality cases are not uncommon. In fact, they are often seen as a way to avoid lengthy and costly lawsuits. However, the timing of the settlement in this case was certainly unusual. It came in the middle of jury selection and was announced by the mayor and family members of George Floyd at a press conference.

The defense argues that the settlement, coupled with the mayor’s statements about “righting the wrongs of historic racial injustice,” created a perception that Chauvin was already considered guilty before the trial had even begun. They also claim that the court should have sequestered the jury to prevent them from being influenced by media coverage of the settlement and other related events.

The prosecution, on the other hand, argues that the settlement had no impact on the jury’s decision. They point out that the judge specifically instructed jurors to avoid news coverage of the trial and that there is no evidence that any of the jurors were exposed to the press conference or related coverage.

Ultimately, it will be up to the Minnesota Supreme Court to decide whether Chauvin’s trial was fair. If they agree with the defense, it could mean a new trial for Chauvin. However, such a decision would likely be met with strong opposition from those who feel that the guilty verdict was just and long overdue.

Regardless of the outcome of the appeal, one thing is clear: Chauvin’s trial highlighted the ongoing issue of police brutality and racial injustice in America. While the guilty verdict was a step in the right direction, it will take much more work to address the systemic issues that led to George Floyd’s death and countless others like him.