TRIAL FURY
Derek Chauvin’s attorney files motion demanding NEW trial claiming Floyd murder conviction came after ‘jury misconduct’
DEREK Chauvin's attorney has filed a motion asking for a new trial on multiple grounds.
Chauvin, a former Minneapolis police officer, was found guilty of second-degree murder, third-degree murder and second-degree manslaughter in the death of George Floyd.
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The motion, , included jury misconduct in its reasoning.
Chauvin's attorney, Eric J. Nelson, requested a new trial on the following grounds: "the interest of justice; abuse of discretion that deprived the Defendant of a fair trial; prosecutorial and jury misconduct; errors of law at trial; and a verdict that is contrary to law."
Nelson also claimed that the court abused its discretion for failing to agree to the defense's request for a change of venue and sequestering the jury, documents show.
Floyd's death in Minneapolis last year sparked nationwide protests against police brutality.
'JURY MISCONDUCT'
The filing that it was reported that one of the jurors in Chauvin's trial attended an anti-police protest last summer.
Brandon Mitchell was one of the 12 jurors who convicted ex-Minneapolis cop Chauvin of second and third-degree murder and manslaughter over the killing of George Floyd.
Social media images have emerged of Mitchell attending an August 28 protest, at which Floyd's relatives spoke, while wearing a t-shirt with the words ‘GET YOUR KNEE OFF OUR NECKS’ on the front.
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The 31-year-old black man is seen standing with two cousins and wearing the T-shirt in question. The photo has recently recirculated online, the Star Tribune reported.
He has acknowledged being at the event,, but has said he doesn’t recall wearing or owning the shirt.
Mitchell, a high-school basketball coach, has defended his participation in the event.
It was not explicitly a protest against police or a commemoration for George Floyd, he has said.
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Floyd, 46, died on May 25, 2020, in Minneapolis, Minnesota, when he was arrested by three policemen after a grocery employee alleged that he had used a fake $20 bill.
Police officers who located Floyd near his car claimed he “physically resisted officers” while possibly under the influence of either drugs or alcohol.
Chauvin was the cop kneeling on Floyd’s neck for over eight minutes before he lost consciousness.
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