MINNEAPOLIS, Min. (WLAX/WEUX) – So far, nine jurors have been seated in the trial of Derek Chauvin, the former Minneapolis police officer who is charged with the death in George Floyd. This is the second week of jury selection gets underway, but questions are now being raised as to whether or not a $27 million dollar settlement between the family and the city could hinder the trial. FOX News Correspondent Matt Finn is in Minneapolis with this story.
The attorney defending Derek Chauvin, the former Minneapolis police officer charged in George Floyd’s death, says he’s “gravely concerned” last week’s announcement of a 27-million dollar settlement between the city of Minneapolis and Floyd’s family makes it impossible for his client to get a fair trial and possibly taints the jury pool.
Eric Nelson, Chauvin’s defense attorney said, “The fact that this came in the exact middle of jury selection, it, it’s perplexing to me, your honor.”
Nelson also asked the judge to delay the trial, and raised the possibility of a change of venue.
Peter Cahill, Hennepin County District Court Judge said, “And, I wish people would, city officials, would stop talking about this case so much, but at the same time, I don’t find any evil intent that they are trying to tamper with this criminal case.”
The judge says he’ll recall the seven selected jurors last week, and question them about their knowledge of the settlement, even though he ordered them not to follow, or do any research on, the case.
Prosecutor Steve Schleicher says those previously picked jurors already agreed to make their decisions in the case based solely on what they’re hearing during the trial.
Meanwhile, week two of jury selection got underway. The first juror questioned said she heard about that 27 million dollar settlement.
She said, “When I heard that, I almost gasped at the amount.”
That potential juror told the court she did not know if she could ignore what she heard and was immediately excused.
There’s been a series of unusual developments and twists and turns, so far, in this case, but, the judge is insisting opening arguments will begin on March 29,
In Minneapolis, Matt Finn, Fox News.