IMAGE: A live screenshot of the court room camera feed as attorneys argue on the motion to reinstate third-degree murder charge. Lead defense attorney Eric Nelson with defendant Derek Chauvin (left), Judge Peter Cahill (top right), State prosecutor Matthew Frank (bottom right). (Source: Court TV)
(MINNEAPOLIS, MN) – Jury selection was set to begin today in the murder trial of Derek Chauvin, but not before presiding Judge Peter Cahill heard arguments from attorneys on the motion to reinstate a third-degree murder charge in the case.
State prosecutors have requested to halt jury selection until the additional murder charge can be reinstated. Chauvin’s defense team wants to proceed with jury selection on the current charges.
Chauvin is charged with second-degree murder and manslaughter for the death of George Floyd. An additional charge of third-degree murder was thrown out of the case last fall by Judge Cahill.
On Friday, an appeals court found Judge Cahill’s prior decision to toss out the additional murder charge to be erroneous and sent the issue back to his court to be added to the charging sheet prior to jury selection.
After hearing motion arguments this morning, Judge Cahill has put the trial in recess while the appeals court can provide guidance on the issue of third-degree murder prior to jury selection.
Lead defense attorney, Eric Nelson, also told the judge he’s prepared to seek relief for his client from the Minnesota Supreme Court to block reinstatement of the third-degree murder charge in the case.
Jurors were sent home for the day while other pre-trial motions were heard by the court.
Strange moment today in #ChauvinTrial: State’s potential witness has testimony ‘hanging is a form of asphyxiation…’ Judge admonished that if testimony is made analogous to #GeorgeFloyd‘s death, it will not be admitted. Jury selection now set for Tuesday:https://t.co/xjbqg7eNI1 pic.twitter.com/0DpPPZJeSS
— 21st Century Wire (@21stCenturyWire) March 8, 2021
Judge Cahill has ordered jury selection to begin on Tuesday morning at 9:00 AM EST – with a caveat that this could change pending any further rulings by the appellate court.
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