MINNEAPOLIS — Assembling a jury to hear the murder case against former police officer Derek Chauvin remains a struggle for both sides of the case.
Avoiding details about the May 2020 death of George Floyd constituted an impossible exercise for millions of people throughout the summer and fall. In Minneapolis, where Chauvin faces trial, that around-the-clock media coverage means finding an impartial group of 12 men and women looks increasingly difficult.
DEATH AND ‘AUTONOMOUS ZONE’ GRIP GEORGE FLOYD SQUARE AHEAD OF CHAUVIN TRIAL
Starting at 9:00 a.m. on Tuesday, the court reconvened with both the prosecution and defense interviewing dozens of individuals in the jury pool. Almost immediately, both sides faced challenges.
The first person interviewed, a woman with a heavy Hispanic accent, was quickly dismissed after saying she couldn’t understand Chauvin’s use of force against Floyd. The defense added that they had concerns about the woman’s difficulty speaking English.
The third potential juror interviewed, a woman, was also quickly dismissed by the judge after saying she “can’t promise impartiality.”
“Clear action was taken … [a murder] happened,” she said early on in her interview.
The next man interviewed, another Hispanic, was dismissed after saying he believed Chauvin’s kneeling on Floyd’s neck was “an illegal move” and that it appeared he was “taking the law into his own hands.”
Following the defense’s objections to that juror, the prosecution alleged racial bias by Chauvin’s attorneys in what is called a Batson challenge. Under a Supreme Court ruling, peremptory challenges against potential jurors may not be made on the basis of race, gender, or religion.
CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM THE WASHINGTON EXAMINER
But Judge Peter Cahill, who is overseeing the case, was not convinced, and jury selection proceeded.
In total, only one juror had been chosen by early Tuesday afternoon before the court took a lunch break. A man who appeared eager to serve on the jury was accepted by both sides. The individual pledged to be “good, fair and impartial” and viewed the role as a juror as an important civic duty.
On Monday morning, jurors were sent home just an hour into the first day of the trial following an appeal filed by the prosecution to force jurors to decide on a third-degree murder charge, on top of the second-degree murder and manslaughter charges Chauvin already faces. The court of appeals has yet to reach a decision on the manner.
