I can see a couple different strategies for Derek. He can have his legal team appeal for a new venue where he can get a fair trial, someplace like rural Mississippi where he will be found innocent and be made Chief of Police. He could also just opt to wait for 1/20/25 when he will be pardoned by the newly elected Donald Trump who will then appoint him to the newly created position of Police and community relations czar. A man in his postition needs a dream.
I never said otherwise. I stated that Water’s comments gave grounds for Chauvin to appeal which is a fact also stated by the judge. I also stated that there are past instances of appeal in American history based on prejudicial comments from politicians or public figures prior the verdict in a trial.
If appellate courts are doing their jobs correctly, this conviction will be overturned and likely a new trial will ensue. Besides the Maxine Waters comments, there were other factors like not moving the venue and not sequestering the jury during the trial. It's easily reversed if Leftist fear and emotion doesn't play into it, which it should never be allowed to do on any case.
Factbox: After Chauvin, Minnesota set to prosecute three other officers in Floyd murder https://www.reuters.com/world/us/af...-three-other-officers-floyd-death-2021-04-20/ With the conviction of former Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin in the murder of George Floyd on Tuesday, prosecutors will begin turning their attention to making their case against three others who took part in the fatal arrest. Tou Thao, J. Alexander Kueng and Thomas Lane, all of whom were fired and arrested days after Floyd died last May, face charges at a trial on Aug. 23 that they aided and abetted second-degree murder and second-degree manslaughter of Floyd. Aiding and abetting murder is punishable by up to 40 years in prison, although sentencing guidelines can reduce the maximum to 15 years. The following is a summary of Minnesota prosecutors' allegations against each of the men, all of whom are free on $750,000 bail: ALEXANDER KUENG, 27 Kueng and Lane were the first officers to arrive outside the food store where Floyd was accused of passing a counterfeit $20 bill to buy cigarettes. Kueng had graduated from the police academy in 2019 and started as an officer in December. During the fatal encounter, prosecutors said Kueng was between Chauvin and Lane, kneeling on Floyd’s back, with his hand on Floyd’s handcuffed left wrist. After Floyd became unresponsive, it was Kueng who checked the right wrist for a pulse and said, "I couldn't find one," prosecutors said in their complaint. None of the officers moved from their positions, the complaint said. THOMAS LANE, 38 Having arrived at the scene with Kueng, it was Lane who ordered Floyd out of his car and handcuffed him, prosecutors said. He had been on the police force for only a matter of days. Chauvin, Kueng and Lane each used their weight to restrain Floyd on the ground after he balked at getting into the back of a squad car. Lane was positioned on his legs, "kneeling on them and pressing them down with his hands," according to the complaint. At one point, Lane asked, "Should we roll him on his side?" Chauvin responded: "No, staying put where we got him." Lane then said, "I am worried about excited delirium or whatever," to which Chauvin said, "That's why we have him on his stomach." TOU THAO, 35 Thao, who had rejoined the force in 2012 after losing his job to layoffs as a rookie in 2009, arrived on the scene with Chauvin after Floyd had already been handcuffed. Although Thao was the only one of the four officers who was not in physical contact with Floyd, prosecutors said he had a direct look at how Chauvin and the others were restraining him. Thao stood watch over the onlookers who were gathering at the scene, keeping himself positioned between them and the three other officers who were on Floyd's prone body. When a bystander stepped off the curb, “imploring Chauvin to get off of Mr. Floyd, (Thao) put his hands on the citizen to keep him back,” the complaint said.
Don’t forget that the jurors need to be the types who wear white robes too. Only way to make it a truly fair unbiased trial...
Again it is up to the judge not us to decide to add on years for aggravated circumstances which is codified in the Minnesota Sentencing Guidelines...
In this case there really is no grounds for appeal unless the sentence is too severe in their opinion. I di dnot hear about any significant objections made during the trial which are often done to reserve for appeal. Defense is going to fight for the minimum sentence and focus attention there.
Generally speaking, you can pretty much appeal most adverse rulings. And, Just like you can sue anyone, for anything; and, just like some lawsuits are bullshit: Some appeals are also bullshit. But, The lawyers get more money ... so ... those filings aren't bullshit to them.
If I look at the aggravating factors one by one trying to be objective: 1. The presence of children (Chauvin arrived at the scene of the crime, the presence of children shouldn't have made him less likely to commit the crime, the children weren't in danger, and I just don't see how this is a big deal). 2. Floyd was treated with particular cruelty (I disagree, because it looks like a pretty standard unintentional 2nd degree murder. Chauvin isn't bragging or looking to inflict as much pain as possible on him. He simply murdered him through a drawn out felony assault where he should have known better). 3. Chauvin abused his authority (This I agree with. Chauvin had two rookies under his command. He was in charge. He had authority as a police officer in this situation and if committing felony assault under your authority isn't abuse I don't know what is). 4. Floyd was particularly vulnerable (I agree with this one as well. Floyd was handcuffed and outnumbered. He served zero threat to anyone. The superhuman defense is pure nonsense). So I see 1 and 2 not carrying much weight, but 3 and 4 carrying more weight. 3 was the most egregious in my view. It really is what has brought this case to the attention of the nation in the first place. He brought shame to his duty and his profession. The judge very well might throw the book at him for this one. This is just my non-professional/non-legal opinion. It is pure gut. I have no experience studying aggravating factors in MN. I'm not familiar with precedent involving them.