MN - George Floyd, 46, died in police custody, Minneapolis, 25 May 2020 *officers charged* #3

[JerseyGirl]

Juror #66 dismissed for cause. She told the court, "I don't want to be a part of this trial." She's planning to move during the trial and has a baby she doesn't want to be away from. #DerekChauvin #DerekChauvinTrial #GeorgeFloyd

https://twitter.com/fox9/status/1371844524197183502?s=21

 

[JerseyGirl]

Juror #67 is Executive Director w/ a youth organization, perhaps religiously based. He just told defense atty Eric Nelson "he is honored to be able to serve" as #DerekChauvinTrial juror. He has seen some news reports abt jury selection getting started, but nothing disqualifying.

https://twitter.com/paulblume_fox9/status/1371846061250244608?s=21

Juror #67 reports his family & kids prayed together for everyone involved in #GeorgeFloyd deadly encounter & its aftermath including protesters in the streets. Defense atty Eric Nelson asked if Juror #67 prayed for #DerekChauvin, #67 confirms he prayed for Chauvin.

__

Juror #67 dismissed. Court in brief recess until 11:15 a.m.

https://twitter.com/fox9/status/1371853610414407682?s=21

 

[Niner]

Cathy Russon
@cathyrusson
·
50m
#DerekChauvinTrial - PJ 64, Male. Works at a software development company for a major news organization. He says he's been exposed to a lot of news.

47m
#DerekChauvinTrial - PJ64 works on a software application for a news organization so he sees all the headlines. The most recent headline he remembers seeing is about the $27 settlement. Also, "the history of George Floyd". Judge dismissed him for cause

44m
Next potential juror is #66, Female. She's the 3rd juror today. There are 5 scheduled for this morning. 4 this afternoon.

40m
PJ 66 says she could "potentially" set aside her views to be a juror. When judge questioned her further about that she said, "I don't know. I'm just nervous."

38m
PJ 66 is related to a State Trooper. Judge asked her to write down that person's name. Now having a sidebar with attorneys showing them the name.

36m
PJ66 says she does not want to be on this jury. She just sold her home and will be moving, also has a child under 1 yr old, she doesn't want to be away from.

35m
PJ 66 - Judge dismissed her for hardship. All 3 jurors this morning have been dismissed by the judge.

31m
PJ 67 - Male. Judge asks him about media exposure. He's seen headlines about "jury selection has started". He says that's the most recent (didn't say he anything about the settlement)

25m
PJ 67 is an executive director at a youth organization. Initial reaction to jury summons, "Oh, boy!" also says he's honored to serve.

21m
PJ 67 checked 'somewhat negative" and "neutral" on questionnaire about opinion of Derek Chauvin and #GeorgeFloyd . He said he doesn't know much about either one of them but w/Chauvin, someone died and with Floyd, he was on drugs at the time.

16m
PJ 67 on questionnaire about conversations w/family, friends or social media commentary "Mr. Floyd's death was wrong...." "and we should speak up and speak out against racism"

14m
PJ 67 on questionnaire about interaction with police - When he was young his parents would fight and police would get called.

12m
PJ 67 - when parents would fight, & would turn physical sometimes he called the police, sometimes his sister. He thinks the police handled it correctly but remembers more about his parents actions/situation then specifically about police

10m
PJ 67 when younger he and friends were at a skate park late at night, the owner had given them a key. Police showed up thinking they had broken in. He said police were verbally aggressive but he understands why.

9m
PJ 67 - Have you ever been placed in a chokehold? He answered yes, as a kid, wrestling with friends. But has no formal training on

8m
PJ 67, on questionnaire he "somewhat agreed" with the statement that police in his community make him feel safe. He said most of the time yes, sometimes, being a skateboarder you get yelled at.

6m
PJ 67 - On questionnaire - "somewhat disagreed" with statement that police treat black and white people equally. He said he believes there are times people are treated differently because of the color of their skin.

link: https://twitter.com/cathyrusson

 

[Shaddow]

Juror #67 is excused.

 

[oceanblueeyes]

Fellow Sleuthers.... your thoughts on the announcement and timing of the civil settlement of $27M?? Do you think this will have tainted the jury pool sufficiently to result in a mistrial?

Or will the impossibility of a fair trial result in complete acquittal for DC?

How can it not taint the potential jury pool. Who in the heck thought this was a good idea before the criminal trial had even begun? Even if they had settled why the need to announce it now knowing it just gives the defense another solid appellate issue if he's convicted? Was it like usual, and Crump held a PC? Tia!

Imo, it was a big blunder, and if they did it knowing it would most likely taint the potential jurors then that is unethical behavior imo. Why announce it at all, but to do it now is shocking like someone was wanting to stack the deck before the trial even started.

The evidence should speak for itself in any criminal trial.

I'm very concerned about the appellate issues the defense will raise if he's convicted, and if it goes all the way to the highest court. I know he will list jury intimidation due to the protestors being at the courthouse. I believe even one potential juror at least mentioned he was worried about his own safety, and that of his family. I find that extremely sad.

Plus all jurors are fully aware of all the violent riots that took place there already after George died, and I'm sure that will be an appellate issue too. The defense will have plenty of video footage attached.

I also worry about any juror who is willing to put off important events just to get on this jury.

I think we all want justice, but for that to legally, and ethically happen there really must be due process, and a fair trial even for defendants who are greatly disliked.

No jury anywhere should feel undue pressure to vote one way or the other to appease anyone else or out of fear.

During the trial will the jurors be seen in the well of the courtroom or are their identities going to be protected like it happens in a few other cases? Tia!

Also I'm puzzled why the DA put the third degree murder charge in at the last minute. Surely the DA knows they have the evidence to prove the other more serious charges BARD.

Jmho

 

[dixiegirl1035]

Is there any live feed with commentary?

 

[Niner]

Cathy Russon
@cathyrusson
·
14m
#DerekChauvinTrial - PJ 67 on Black Lives Matter/Blue Lives Matter. "Very favorable" that black lives do matter but not favorable about the Black Lives Matter organization.
He is 'very favorable" for Blue Lives Matter saying "I am for life, both black and blue."

13m
PJ 67 marked he would like to serve on the jury saying he wants to participate in 'justice". Nelson asks him if "justice' could mean a not guilty verdict, he said yes.

11m
PJ 67 - Defense uses peremptory strike to dismiss 67. That's 10/15 for defense.

link: https://twitter.com/cathyrusson

 

[Niner]

Cathy Russon
@cathyrusson
·
31m
#DerekChauvinTrial - Now PJ 69. Male. As far as media coverage he read something about the 3rd degree murder charge but quickly jumped past it. Also saw a headline about $27 M settlement.

29m
PJ 69 says any headlines he has seen does not push him one way or the other and can be impartial.

27m
PJ 69 - now Nelson questioning after quick sidebar. He asks more about the settlement news and explains that is a different legal standard and will not be brought into this case. Juror says he understands. @LawCrimeNetwork

24m
PJ 69 describes himself as an avid fisherman, loves the outdoors. His initial reaction to receiving the jury summons, "I wasn't really excited about it." He says he's concerned about safety, the popularity of this case and his name being released after.

8m
PJ 69 - On questionnaire he wrote “George Floyd was murdered by police officers” In this case based on the footage he wrote it would be very difficult to presume innocence.

3m
PJ 69 tells Nelson he can be an unbias, fair juror in this case.

1m
PJ 69 on opinion of Black Lives Matter - he said they are trying to make progress. He had never heard of Blue Lives Matter.

1m
PJ 69 was in the military and trained in hand-to-hand combat & chokeholds.

Paul Blume
@PaulBlume_FOX9
Replying to
@PaulBlume_FOX9
Juror #69 served in military. Trained in hand-to-hand combat, chokeholds. Defense wanting to know how his knowledge might impact his opinions & assessments at trial. #69 also pointed out he noticed in media when headlines went from "death" of #GeorgeFloyd to "murder."

25s
Defense uses a peremptory strike to dismiss PJ 69. They've used 11/15.

link: https://twitter.com/cathyrusson

 

[Niner]

Cathy Russon
@cathyrusson
·
4m
#DerekChauvinTrial - Judge: They will talk to the 7 jurors from last week tomorrow morning via Zoom.

link: https://twitter.com/cathyrusson


and that was 5 jurors for the morning - I'm going to guess they are going to lunch now.

I'll keep an eye on Cathy's tweets - if no one minds!

 

[dixiegirl1035]

Something I just caught through the live stream before lunch.

Defense: "I believe I asked for for full sequestration of the jurors DURING trial."

Judge: "At this point then, it is denied as well"

My transcription from live feed MOO. GAWD, so glad judges understand the impact of such (Anthony trial.... which now iirc is widely regarded as to never do again/avoid at all costs)

ETA: Reminder that right now, they ARE planning on sequestration during deliberations iirc

 

[Niner]

Cathy Russon
@cathyrusson
·
13m
#DerekChauvinTrial - Lunch recess until 1:30 CT/2:30 ET. 4 new jurors for the afternoon. @LawCrimeNetwork

Cathy Russon Retweeted
Rochelle Olson
@rochelleolson
Today @ChaoStrib
asked Attorney General Keith Ellison if he had prior knowledge of the $27 million settlement between Mpls and George Floyd's family announced Friday, Ellison said, "no comment."

Cathy Russon Retweeted
Rochelle Olson
@rochelleolson
·
13m
Ellison's son is a member of the Minneapolis City Council and voted in favor of the record settlement. Ellison has been sitting in on jury selection question during for Derek Chauvin's criminal trial.

link: https://twitter.com/cathyrusson

 

[dixiegirl1035]

RSBM
Ellison's son is a member of the Minneapolis City Council and voted in favor of the record settlement. Ellison has been sitting in on jury selection question during for Derek Chauvin's criminal trial. link: https://twitter.com/cathyrusson

I'm confused. How can someone be sitting in on a closed down COVID court as a spectator? First I've heard as I see no one in gallery on live feed. I need to relook for such. Is this information what you folks are seeing?

Even the family was restricted to one person, and no media other than streamers etc.

 

[Niner]

I'm confused. How can someone be sitting in on a closed down COVID court as a spectator? First I've heard as I see no one in gallery on live feed. I need to relook for such. Is this information what you folks are seeing?

Even the family was restricted to one person, and no media other than streamers etc.

He is the attorney general - so he might be sitting behind the pros - I'm not watching it, just reading the tweets.

 

[turaj]

I think defense motion for sequestration is very valid and should not be dismissed. Ellison's conflict of interest is beyond belief.

 

[turaj]

I'm confused. How can someone be sitting in on a closed down COVID court as a spectator? First I've heard as I see no one in gallery on live feed. I need to relook for such. Is this information what you folks are seeing?

Even the family was restricted to one person, and no media other than streamers etc.

He is part of the Prosecution TEam...

 

[turaj]

This morning was net zero...

 

[geevee]

I'm confused. How can someone be sitting in on a closed down COVID court as a spectator? First I've heard as I see no one in gallery on live feed. I need to relook for such. Is this information what you folks are seeing?

Even the family was restricted to one person, and no media other than streamers etc.

I think I saw him stand and introduce himself yesterday when the judge had both sides do so for the jury panel.

 

[dixiegirl1035]

I think defense motion for sequestration is very valid and should not be dismissed. Ellison's conflict of interest is beyond belief.

I personally would prefer other remedies than sequestration to such issue that is at their disposal. We shall see, I will follow. MOO.

 

[turaj]

I personally would prefer other remedies than sequestration to such issue that is at their disposal. We shall see, I will follow. MOO.

Well sequestration during the trial will not unring the 27M news blast that most of them probably heard...I will agree to that...maybe at least more strikes...it seems unfair that defense has to use them when they bring this up even if they say that can look beyond that. Maybe they can but not so sure. Seems like many jurors eager to get on.

 

[dixiegirl1035]

Well sequestration during the trial will not unring the 27M news blast that most of them probably heard...I will agree to that...maybe at least more strikes...it seems unfair that defense has to use them when they bring this up even if they say that can look beyond that. Maybe they can but not so sure. Seems like many jurors eager to get on.

I do consider that a remedy by the court would be to delay.

Having another jurisdiction would delay to meet the same point... so delay may be an option?

And put THAT option to the defense. Even moving the trial, many have seen and could be influencing if done immediately... so what to do? Dunno. I REALLY do not like an option of sequestration during trial. Horse has left the barn of that one... so to speak.

What time are we coming back today? I thought by now, but still a seal