Breaking: Chauvin Found Guilty on All 3 Counts

 

Former Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin has been found guilty on all three charges in the death of George Floyd.

The jury declared Chauvin guilty of second-degree unintentional murder, third-degree murder, and second-degree manslaughter. Although the first charge is punishable by up to 40 years in prison, Minnesota sentencing guidelines begin at 12 1/2 years for a defendant with no criminal history.

Downtown Minneapolis is mostly boarded up and being patrolled by a large contingent of National Guard. Many were uneasy about the verdict, fearing riots worse than those experienced after Floyd’s death, not only in Minnesota but across the country.

Chauvin’s lawyers are expected to appeal, especially with concerns about comments from Rep. Maxine Waters, who seemed to be encouraging violence if the verdict was not guilty. President Joe Biden and Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey both prejudged the case and made public statements that there was only one right verdict. Local press published extensive information about each juror before the decision was reached.

 

Published in General
Like this post? Want to comment? Join Ricochet’s community of conservatives and be part of the conversation. Join Ricochet for Free.

There are 183 comments.

Become a member to join the conversation. Or sign in if you're already a member.
  1. James Lileks Contributor
    James Lileks
    @jameslileks

    MarciN (View Comment):

    Jon Gabriel, Ed.: Local press published extensive information about each juror before the decision was reached.

    I can’t believe this is legal. The juror and his or her family would be completely intimidated by this information being made public.

    All the information was released by the courts, broadcast, and put on the internet during jury selection.

    As for being extensive information, here are some sample descriptions:

    “A multi-race woman in her 20s. She is originally from northern Minnesota.”

    “A white man in his 20s.He’s from Minneapolis and works as a chemist.”

    “A Black man in his 30s. He works in banking and coaches youth sports.”

    “A Black man in his 40s. He works as a manager.”

    Believe me, a “white woman in her 50s who lives in Edina and works as a nurse” does not narrow it down much.

    • #61
  2. JamesSalerno Inactive
    JamesSalerno
    @JamesSalerno

    James Lileks (View Comment):

    MarciN (View Comment):

    Jon Gabriel, Ed.: Local press published extensive information about each juror before the decision was reached.

    I can’t believe this is legal. The juror and his or her family would be completely intimidated by this information being made public.

    All the information was released by the courts, broadcast, and put on the internet during jury selection.

    As for being extensive information, here are some sample descriptions:

    “A multi-race woman in her 20s. She is originally from northern Minnesota.”

    “A white man in his 20s.He’s from Minneapolis and works as a chemist.”

    “A Black man in his 30s. He works in banking and coaches youth sports.”

    “A Black man in his 40s. He works as a manager.”

    Believe me, a “white woman in her 50s who lives in Edina and works as a nurse” does not narrow it down much.

    But if they have that much information, couldn’t they release more if pressed to? Seems to me that they released just enough info as a warning.

    • #62
  3. kedavis Coolidge
    kedavis
    @kedavis

    Architectus (View Comment):

    Raxxalan (View Comment):

    I don’t feel like justice was done in this case. I feel like the mob and elites howled for blood and they were appeased by a fearful jury. It may not have been the case; however, it is how I feel right now. I don’t think it is possible to have equal justice under the law anymore. I don’t know what that means for the country going forward but I know it won’t be good.

    Look into the case of Conrad Black, about our justice system. Horrifying.

    Weren’t his problems with the Canadian system?

    • #63
  4. James Lileks Contributor
    James Lileks
    @jameslileks

    JamesSalerno (View Comment):
    But if they have that much information, couldn’t they release more if pressed to? Seems to me that they released just enough info as a warning.

    We don’t warn jurors that we want them to vote a certain way.

    • #64
  5. Henry Racette Member
    Henry Racette
    @HenryRacette

    James Lileks (View Comment):

    JamesSalerno (View Comment):
    But if they have that much information, couldn’t they release more if pressed to? Seems to me that they released just enough info as a warning.

    We don’t warn jurors that we want them to vote a certain way.

    Well, you say that….

    But, on occasion, we even warn Supreme Court Justices that we want them to vote a certain way.

    Some of our Senators do, anyway.

    • #65
  6. kedavis Coolidge
    kedavis
    @kedavis

    James Lileks (View Comment):

    JamesSalerno (View Comment):
    But if they have that much information, couldn’t they release more if pressed to? Seems to me that they released just enough info as a warning.

    We don’t warn jurors that we want them to vote a certain way.

    BLM/Antifa do that all the time, by burning things, and beating things, sometimes killing things…  You think they don’t get the message?

    • #66
  7. James Lileks Contributor
    James Lileks
    @jameslileks

    kedavis (View Comment):

    James Lileks (View Comment):

    JamesSalerno (View Comment):
    But if they have that much information, couldn’t they release more if pressed to? Seems to me that they released just enough info as a warning.

    We don’t warn jurors that we want them to vote a certain way.

    BLM/Antifa do that all the time, by burning things, and beating things, sometimes killing things… You think they don’t get the message?

    To be clear, by “we” I meant the newspaper. We don’t send messages to jurors to intimidate them into voting a certain way. 

    • #67
  8. kedavis Coolidge
    kedavis
    @kedavis

    James Lileks (View Comment):

    kedavis (View Comment):

    James Lileks (View Comment):

    JamesSalerno (View Comment):
    But if they have that much information, couldn’t they release more if pressed to? Seems to me that they released just enough info as a warning.

    We don’t warn jurors that we want them to vote a certain way.

    BLM/Antifa do that all the time, by burning things, and beating things, sometimes killing things… You think they don’t get the message?

    To be clear, by “we” I meant the newspaper. We don’t send messages to jurors to intimidate them into voting a certain way.

    I would believe that YOU don’t.

    Anyway, even if it came to publishing their full names/addresses, that could still be argued that the paper isn’t the one intimidating them.  They’re just telling BLM/Antifa where to go.

    • #68
  9. MDHahn Coolidge
    MDHahn
    @MDHahn

    kedavis (View Comment):

    Jager (View Comment):

    Only one person died, how is this cop guilty of three different types on murder in one act.

    I could see that being some kind of signal from the jury: “We don’t believe this BS, but we’re not going to be blamed for the city burning.”

    No, that’s not what happened. The jury is asked whether the facts presented proved the elements of each crime beyond a reasonable doubt. The jury’s task is to answer that question for each crime charged. That is common in many states and not at all abnormal.

    • #69
  10. MDHahn Coolidge
    MDHahn
    @MDHahn

    Chet Ross (View Comment):

    This was totally predictable — Certainly because of the biased and inflammatory comments by Biden and Waters, but even more so because virtually every media outlet had been calling this “the murder of . . .” instead of “the death of . . .” for months before the trial. Chauvin was prejudged and much of the general public biased by the media before any evidence or defense was presented.

    Let’s not do this. Yes, Waters and Biden made incredibly dumb and irresponsible comments. The coverage of the trial has largely been garbage. But until there is evidence to the contrary we should not assume that the jury ignored its duty. Most people do take their role seriously on a jury and follow the judge’s instructions.

    If we start to second-guess juries because of political disagreements, then we are going down a bad path. Like it or not, trial by jury works. Just because some people behave recklessly, doesn’t mean the jury caved or got it wrong. 

    • #70
  11. kedavis Coolidge
    kedavis
    @kedavis

    MDHahn (View Comment):

    Chet Ross (View Comment):

    This was totally predictable — Certainly because of the biased and inflammatory comments by Biden and Waters, but even more so because virtually every media outlet had been calling this “the murder of . . .” instead of “the death of . . .” for months before the trial. Chauvin was prejudged and much of the general public biased by the media before any evidence or defense was presented.

    Let’s not do this. Yes, Waters and Biden made incredibly dumb and irresponsible comments. The coverage of the trial has largely been garbage. But until there is evidence to the contrary we should not assume that the jury ignored its duty. Most people do take their role seriously on a jury and follow the judge’s instructions.

    If we start to second-guess juries because of political disagreements, then we are going down a bad path. Like it or not, trial by jury works. Just because some people behave recklessly, doesn’t mean the jury caved or got it wrong.

    I’m pretty sure that’s what an appeal is supposed to find out.

    • #71
  12. Fake John/Jane Galt Coolidge
    Fake John/Jane Galt
    @FakeJohnJaneGalt

    DonG (2+2=5. Say it!) (View Comment):

    Fake John/Jane Galt (View Comment):

    No surprise on this. White cops need to quit or more of this is going to happen

    They don’t have to quit quit. They can choose to wait for backup. If a perp wants to run, let ’em. Stick to writing tickets against people that drive newish luxury cars.

    To be honest I am for giving BLM and the black community what it wants.  Pull the cops, let those communities handle their own stuff.  Release all blacks from jail.  No more black arrests.  Let them have it all.  

    • #72
  13. JamesSalerno Inactive
    JamesSalerno
    @JamesSalerno

    Fake John/Jane Galt (View Comment):

    DonG (2+2=5. Say it!) (View Comment):

    Fake John/Jane Galt (View Comment):

    No surprise on this. White cops need to quit or more of this is going to happen

    They don’t have to quit quit. They can choose to wait for backup. If a perp wants to run, let ’em. Stick to writing tickets against people that drive newish luxury cars.

    To be honest I am for giving BLM and the black community what it wants. Pull the cops, let those communities handle their own stuff. Release all blacks from jail. No more black arrests. Let them have it all.

    I’m all for this as long as the sane states secede first.

    • #73
  14. kedavis Coolidge
    kedavis
    @kedavis

    JamesSalerno (View Comment):

    Fake John/Jane Galt (View Comment):

    DonG (2+2=5. Say it!) (View Comment):

    Fake John/Jane Galt (View Comment):

    No surprise on this. White cops need to quit or more of this is going to happen

    They don’t have to quit quit. They can choose to wait for backup. If a perp wants to run, let ’em. Stick to writing tickets against people that drive newish luxury cars.

    To be honest I am for giving BLM and the black community what it wants. Pull the cops, let those communities handle their own stuff. Release all blacks from jail. No more black arrests. Let them have it all.

    I’m all for this as long as the sane states secede first.

    And/or build some walls.

    • #74
  15. MDHahn Coolidge
    MDHahn
    @MDHahn

    kedavis (View Comment):

    MDHahn (View Comment):

    Chet Ross (View Comment):

    This was totally predictable — Certainly because of the biased and inflammatory comments by Biden and Waters, but even more so because virtually every media outlet had been calling this “the murder of . . .” instead of “the death of . . .” for months before the trial. Chauvin was prejudged and much of the general public biased by the media before any evidence or defense was presented.

    Let’s not do this. Yes, Waters and Biden made incredibly dumb and irresponsible comments. The coverage of the trial has largely been garbage. But until there is evidence to the contrary we should not assume that the jury ignored its duty. Most people do take their role seriously on a jury and follow the judge’s instructions.

    If we start to second-guess juries because of political disagreements, then we are going down a bad path. Like it or not, trial by jury works. Just because some people behave recklessly, doesn’t mean the jury caved or got it wrong.

    I’m pretty sure that’s what an appeal is supposed to find out.

    If there is any evidence of jury misconduct or intimidation, yes that is the purpose. But we should not assume that to be the case. Nor should we rush to judgment. That is a large part of why our current situation is so toxic.

    • #75
  16. kedavis Coolidge
    kedavis
    @kedavis

    MDHahn (View Comment):

    kedavis (View Comment):

    MDHahn (View Comment):

    Chet Ross (View Comment):

    This was totally predictable — Certainly because of the biased and inflammatory comments by Biden and Waters, but even more so because virtually every media outlet had been calling this “the murder of . . .” instead of “the death of . . .” for months before the trial. Chauvin was prejudged and much of the general public biased by the media before any evidence or defense was presented.

    Let’s not do this. Yes, Waters and Biden made incredibly dumb and irresponsible comments. The coverage of the trial has largely been garbage. But until there is evidence to the contrary we should not assume that the jury ignored its duty. Most people do take their role seriously on a jury and follow the judge’s instructions.

    If we start to second-guess juries because of political disagreements, then we are going down a bad path. Like it or not, trial by jury works. Just because some people behave recklessly, doesn’t mean the jury caved or got it wrong.

    I’m pretty sure that’s what an appeal is supposed to find out.

    If there is any evidence of jury misconduct or intimidation, yes that is the purpose. But we should not assume that to be the case. Nor should we rush to judgment. That is a large part of why our current situation is so toxic.

    This sounds like the same argument heard from the “nothing to see here, move along” crowd following the “election.” 

    “No investigation (appeal) unless you have evidence.”

    “There needs to be an investigation (appeal) to find evidence.”

    “Shut up.”

    • #76
  17. Headedwest Coolidge
    Headedwest
    @Headedwest

    James Lileks (View Comment):

    JamesSalerno (View Comment):
    But if they have that much information, couldn’t they release more if pressed to? Seems to me that they released just enough info as a warning.

    We don’t warn jurors that we want them to vote a certain way.

    Self-preservation kicks in at some point. These jurors wanted to survive, keep their jobs, not have their house burned down, etc.

    They knew what they had to do. That’s why it was so fast.

    • #77
  18. James Lileks Contributor
    James Lileks
    @jameslileks

    kedavis (View Comment):

    I would believe that YOU don’t.

    I appreciate that, but extend to my co-workers the same courtesy.

    Anyway, even if it came to publishing their full names/addresses, that could still be argued that the paper isn’t the one intimidating them.  They’re just telling BLM/Antifa where to go.

    If so, then the courts are also complicit, when they live-streamed the entire jury selection process and put it up on YouTube in the interests of transparency. 

    Did anyone actually look at the article? Aside from the cursory descriptions, it’s mostly a collection of quotes from the jurors – 70 hours of interviews boiled down into paragraphs that described the jurors’ views and opinions. 

     

    • #78
  19. James Lileks Contributor
    James Lileks
    @jameslileks

    As for the Maxine Waters and Biden comments, they didn’t matter. Everyone on that jury remembered last summer. 

    • #79
  20. lowtech redneck Coolidge
    lowtech redneck
    @lowtech redneck

    MDHahn (View Comment):

    That is a large part of why our current situation is so toxic.

    Gee, maybe its because we’re dealing with a truly toxic totalitarian movement, and are doing so under the same kind of circumstances as was explored in To Kill A Mockingbird.

     

    • #80
  21. MDHahn Coolidge
    MDHahn
    @MDHahn

    kedavis (View Comment):

    MDHahn (View Comment):

    kedavis (View Comment):

    MDHahn (View Comment):

    Chet Ross (View Comment):

    This was totally predictable — Certainly because of the biased and inflammatory comments by Biden and Waters, but even more so because virtually every media outlet had been calling this “the murder of . . .” instead of “the death of . . .” for months before the trial. Chauvin was prejudged and much of the general public biased by the media before any evidence or defense was presented.

    Let’s not do this. Yes, Waters and Biden made incredibly dumb and irresponsible comments. The coverage of the trial has largely been garbage. But until there is evidence to the contrary we should not assume that the jury ignored its duty. Most people do take their role seriously on a jury and follow the judge’s instructions.

    If we start to second-guess juries because of political disagreements, then we are going down a bad path. Like it or not, trial by jury works. Just because some people behave recklessly, doesn’t mean the jury caved or got it wrong.

    I’m pretty sure that’s what an appeal is supposed to find out.

    If there is any evidence of jury misconduct or intimidation, yes that is the purpose. But we should not assume that to be the case. Nor should we rush to judgment. That is a large part of why our current situation is so toxic.

    This sounds like the same argument heard from the “nothing to see here, move along” crowd following the “election.”

    “No investigation (appeal) unless you have evidence.”

    “There needs to be an investigation (appeal) to find evidence.”

    “Shut up.”

    Nonsense. Chauvin was provided a full and fair trial. The jury returned its verdict. There will be an appeal given idiotic statements by Maxine Waters. The appeal process will run its course and function as it should under well-established rules. No one is telling you to shut up. We don’t know anything about the juror’s mindset right now. Until we do, why jump to the conclusion that they violated their oath and convicted him because of external pressure? That is reckless and irresponsible. If facts change, then I’m happy to reconsider. 

    • #81
  22. James Lileks Contributor
    James Lileks
    @jameslileks

    Here’s a question: why didn’t Chauvin take the stand? 

    • #82
  23. MDHahn Coolidge
    MDHahn
    @MDHahn

    lowtech redneck (View Comment):

    MDHahn (View Comment):

    That is a large part of why our current situation is so toxic.

    Gee, maybe its because we’re dealing with a truly toxic totalitarian movement, and are doing so under the same kind of circumstances as was explored in To Kill A Mockingbird.

     

    We have a massive problem with the race to be wrong first. We don’t wait for facts to come in, we just rush to our partisan/tribal corners. That’s nuts and dangerous. The problem has always been more pronounced on the Left, but it is increasingly a problem on our side too. We need to stop this binary response of cops good or cops bad. Sometimes the police officer is right, and sometimes he/she is wrong. We need to look at the facts and what actually happened.

    We don’t fix the problem by acting more like the Left.

    • #83
  24. kedavis Coolidge
    kedavis
    @kedavis

    MDHahn (View Comment):

    lowtech redneck (View Comment):

    MDHahn (View Comment):

    That is a large part of why our current situation is so toxic.

    Gee, maybe its because we’re dealing with a truly toxic totalitarian movement, and are doing so under the same kind of circumstances as was explored in To Kill A Mockingbird.

     

    We have a massive problem with the race to be wrong first. We don’t wait for facts to come in, we just rush to our partisan/tribal corners. That’s nuts and dangerous. The problem has always been more pronounced on the Left, but it is increasingly a problem on our side too. We need to stop this binary response of cops good or cops bad. Sometimes the police officer is right, and sometimes he/she is wrong. We need to look at the facts and what actually happened.

    We don’t fix the problem by acting more like the Left.

    I guess you didn’t notice that people have been pointing out the facts, including facts like the autopsy report, which barely – if at all – support any theory of police misconduct.  Lots of George Floyd misconduct, yes.  But that shouldn’t get anyone else convicted of anything.

    • #84
  25. MDHahn Coolidge
    MDHahn
    @MDHahn

    James Lileks (View Comment):

    Here’s a question: why didn’t Chauvin take the stand?

    Because he doesn’t need to. Testifying would lead to potential questions about previous alleged misconduct and his training related to use of force. He doesn’t need to prove innocence, just reasonable doubt. There is a lot of risk taking the stand.

    • #85
  26. MDHahn Coolidge
    MDHahn
    @MDHahn

    kedavis (View Comment):

    MDHahn (View Comment):

    lowtech redneck (View Comment):

    MDHahn (View Comment):

    That is a large part of why our current situation is so toxic.

    Gee, maybe its because we’re dealing with a truly toxic totalitarian movement, and are doing so under the same kind of circumstances as was explored in To Kill A Mockingbird.

     

    We have a massive problem with the race to be wrong first. We don’t wait for facts to come in, we just rush to our partisan/tribal corners. That’s nuts and dangerous. The problem has always been more pronounced on the Left, but it is increasingly a problem on our side too. We need to stop this binary response of cops good or cops bad. Sometimes the police officer is right, and sometimes he/she is wrong. We need to look at the facts and what actually happened.

    We don’t fix the problem by acting more like the Left.

    I guess you didn’t notice that people have been pointing out the facts, including facts like the autopsy report, which barely – if at all – support any theory of police misconduct. Lots of George Floyd misconduct, yes. But that shouldn’t get anyone else convicted of anything.

    I have heard those facts and there are plenty to cut the other way. But I’m not on the jury. I didn’t sit and listen to each second of testimony or assess the credibility of each witness. 

    Are you assuming the jury ignored the evidence you found exculpatory? Why? 

    • #86
  27. David Coolidge
    David
    @dwlewis

    Unsk (View Comment):

    Kozak:” Every cop in Minneapolis should quit today.”

    I think one could extrapolate that thought to every major police force in every urban area in the country.

    To be a cop is to now be pre-judged a criminal based upon the flimiest of evidence in a kangaroo court if something ever goes wrong on your beat. A totally intolerable situation for the police.

    I have thought since it became apparent that the election was stolen that our criminal justice system would be totally corrupted in short order by the Traitor Elite and it has. An honest man or woman cannot work in that system, anymore, without facing some really bad choices where there are no good answers. As a result there will be no more police protection in many areas soon, and then the woke may find that there is no one to defend them anymore from the reprisals for their treachery.

    Maybe by then our guns will have been taken away too…

    • #87
  28. David Coolidge
    David
    @dwlewis

    Joker (View Comment):

    I can barely believe some of the opinions I am hearing in the aftermath of the decision. Pelosi said that Floyd’s name will forever be associated with justice. Everybody seems to agree with the outcome, saying that the jury has done what we all agree is the right thing. Obama helpfully confirmed that police across the country treat blacks differently than whites. Profiles in leadership.

    Seems like Mr Floyd has no agency. That he took a lethal amount of recreational drugs with a serious heart condition is aparently not his fault. He passed a counterfiet bill and resisted arrest. If he skips one of those things, he survives the night. Maybe. Evidently, none of Mr Floyd’s actions matter in these cases, he’s practically being treated like a helpless bystander. As far as Chauvin goes, he’s got about the same outcome as he would if he just grabbed a random pedstrian and shot him.

    Ok, now we can get back to the cannonization.

    Had he been white, would he have been treated any different? Yet who would have cared?

    • #88
  29. David Coolidge
    David
    @dwlewis

    JamesSalerno (View Comment):

    Architectus (View Comment):

    MarciN (View Comment):

    Jon Gabriel, Ed.: Local press published extensive information about each juror before the decision was reached.

    I can’t believe this is legal. The juror and his or her family would be completely intimidated by this information being made public.

     

     

    Isn’t it funny how the press can dig for facts, when they want to, and when it will hurt innocent people?

    Funny how we still don’t know anything about the cop who shot Ashli Babbitt. Not even a name.

    Whatever happened to the 911 style investigation Nancy wanted?

    • #89
  30. David Coolidge
    David
    @dwlewis

    JamesSalerno (View Comment):

    James Lileks (View Comment):

    MarciN (View Comment):

    Jon Gabriel, Ed.: Local press published extensive information about each juror before the decision was reached.

    I can’t believe this is legal. The juror and his or her family would be completely intimidated by this information being made public.

    All the information was released by the courts, broadcast, and put on the internet during jury selection.

    As for being extensive information, here are some sample descriptions:

    “A multi-race woman in her 20s. She is originally from northern Minnesota.”

    “A white man in his 20s.He’s from Minneapolis and works as a chemist.”

    “A Black man in his 30s. He works in banking and coaches youth sports.”

    “A Black man in his 40s. He works as a manager.”

    Believe me, a “white woman in her 50s who lives in Edina and works as a nurse” does not narrow it down much.

    But if they have that much information, couldn’t they release more if pressed to? Seems to me that they released just enough info as a warning.

    It may not seem so specific, but how would you feel if you were the juror described?

    • #90
Become a member to join the conversation. Or sign in if you're already a member.