Derek Chauvin trial megathread (SENTENCED TO 22.5 YEARS IN PRISON)

[Sestak]

I am not very aware of US criminal justice, but wouldn't "trial by judge" (or alternatively, trial by a bench of justices) be better than "trial by jury" in this case? (or really in most high profile criminal cases)

Police officers charged with a crime have sometimes as of late opted to be tried by judge due to feeling the judge gives them better odds. Chauvin, though, has not waived his Sixth Amendment right to a jury trial. I don't think a judge would give him good odds anyway - most judges have probably been aware of the killing since it happened and probably have seen the video, and they'd also most likely be less persuadable towards the tactics Chauvin used being justified. To be honest I don't see many judges acquitting Chauvin here (though that could be wishful thinking on my part).

[Sestak]

What is the threshold needed for conviction? Is it unanimity? Simple majority? Something in between?

Does Ramos v. Louisiana apply here?

Not directly, as Minnesota (and in fact all states aside from LA and OR) already required unanimity for criminal conviction.

[Sestak]

He's definitely going to be found guilty of something I'd have to think. Question is just which ones hold. The 3rd degree murder at least is such a weird charge that it's very hard to predict.

[Sestak]

https://twitter.com/ianbremmer/status/1384553452383125506

Not nearly as bad as Waters, but why?

Jury was sequestered, so there isn't any chance of tainting the jury here. Still arguably not an advisable thing to comment at this point, though.

[Sestak]

He's definitely going to be found guilty of something I'd have to think. Question is just which ones hold. The 3rd degree murder at least is such a weird charge that it's very hard to predict.

I do think that with the speed the 3rd degree - despite the weirdness - is also more likely to be a conviction than not. Not going to make any predictions about the 2nd degree as I think that either way makes reasonable sense to be decided this fast.

[Sestak]

There’s no good way for this to end, either way half the country is gonna be furious

Half the country is going to be furious if Chauvin is convicted?

[Sestak]

Honestly I feel like a "compromise position", if it was what actually happened, would be just as (if not more) likely to fall on the guilty 3rd/ng 2nd line than the guilty manslaughter/ng 3rd line at this point.

[Sestak]

Guilty on all counts! Justice is served.

[Sestak]

I don’t think a 2nd degree charge was appropriate- I doubt he intentionally killed Floyd- but I understand that the jury was under immense pressure, and I’m glad to see Chauvin held accountable.

I’m sure all business owners access America are breathing a sigh of relief.

The charge is 2nd degree unintentional murder. Specifically, that he killed him while committing assault with the intent to commit assault.

[Sestak]

https://twitter.com/AlexNBCNews/status/1384619869119918083?s=20

Good grief. Retire pls

[Sestak]

but almost certainly not intentional murder,

I don’t know where you’re getting this particular notion from.