The nation has been engrossed in the trial of former Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin, charged with murdering George Floyd on May 25, 2020. For many, it’s not just the former police officer on trial, but U.S. policing and the justice system at large.
The MSR reached out to community members to get their response after two weeks of the trial. We asked: What are your thoughts about the Derek Chauvin murder trial so far?
âThe trial is going well. We see [Chauvin] as being guilty, but in our lifetime, cases like this always seem to end up the other way around. I am praying and hoping that justice will be served.â
Anthony Harmon, Mpls., security
âIt really intense. Itâs hard to hear how they discuss how Mr. George actually died. Itâs still too soon to give an indication of what the jury is thinking. Hopefully, they will rule the right way. I feel like America is watching and this is setting a precedent for America and how we deal with police brutality and racism moving forward. This will be the blueprint of what the future will hold.
Ebony Gums, high school social worker
I think the trial is going well. It reminds me of the Black condition in America. Malcolm X once said, âIf youâre not careful, the newspaper will have you hating the people who are being oppressed and loving the people who are doing the oppressing.”
In this case, it is the courts. So when youâre watching this trial, itâs about how Derek Chauvin killed George Floyd, but you walk away thinking itâs George Floyd who is on trial. But heâs the victim and it’s sad we have to live in these conditions.
Jason Griffin Mpls., security
Itâs a basic trial. It seems procedural. The prosecutor is laying down the facts and the defense is deflecting the primary cause of death for George Floyd. Itâs going as expected.
Albert McGree of Mpls., equity and inclusion, Edina School District
So far itâs progressing in the right direction, with all the evidence and all the testimonies that are going on right now. Do I have faith? Itâs kind of hard to say because we see trials like this and things have gone sideways. We donât get the results that we want. Iâm hoping and I have faith that we going towards a conviction because it was murder and itâs on camera. The badge shouldnât be above anything else.
Ololade Gbadamosi, Apple Valley, paraprofessional
Onika Nicole Craven is a contributing photographer at the Minnesota Spokesman-Recorder. She can be reached at onikanicole32@gmail.com.
Thank you for your reporting… truth telling especially on Chauvin murder trial. Article on Graham v Connor clarifies what to listen for in closing statenents and directions to jurors.