The Argument That Will Get George Floyd Justice. And Derek Chauvin Convicted.

Being basically homebound, like many other people I have been watching the George Floyd murder trial. Not every minute, shit, the thing starts at like 7 am PDT. But once I get up at about 9 or so, it’s on.

Whether it’s OJ Simpson or George Floyd, there is something fascinating about watching an actual criminal trial on television, and noting the stark differences between reality and television fiction. That is, until you remember that this case involves a real murder, with a real family and friends that are suffering the sins of the damned reliving it all over again on national television. Then it becomes compelling and tragic.

The black community, well educated by decades of white judicial inaction against racist white cops, have already steeled themselves for the worst. But there is something different this time. When you think of the George Floyd murder along with all of the other atrocities committed against unarmed black men, their favorite defense is gone. With the sole exception of Eric Garner, who was not handcuffed when what looked like the entire 12th precinct took him down and choked him out, every other police atrocity against black men used firearms. Which allowed the defense to argue the immediacy of the high pressure split second decision of the officer, and who can know his mind at that critical moment?

But that was not the case with George Floyd. From the time he peacefully exited his vehicle, with his hands shown, the only drawn weapon was put away, and the rest of the arrest proceeded without the presence of arms. And, properly argued, this is what will send Derek Chauvin to prison for quite a long time. Because, at no time was officer Chauvin placed in a split second decision moment, he had all the time in the world!

By it’s nature, the Floyd murder lent itself to hash tags and slogans. After the original cell phone video surfaced, it was quickly determined that Chauvin had had his knee pressing on George Floyd’s neck for 8:46. This became a rallying cry. It appeared on protest signs, t-shirts were printed with the logo, and it became a rallying cry. Now, with the introduction of new evidence, and new body cam video, it has been determined that Chauvin actually had his knee on the neck of George Floyd for 9:29. And a new hash tag is born.

But here’s the part that, properly argued by the prosecution, puts Chauvin away on Murder 2 charges. Because, as terrible as this event was, it. could. have. been. worse! Just watch the video. Chauvin is as comfy as a guy in his slippers on his sofa with his knee on Floyd’s neck. At one point, the video shows him with his hands in his pockets, staring bovinely out at the crowd. He only removed his knee when ordered to do by paramedics so that they could roll him over and put him on a stretcher.

Think about it for a moment, because this is what sends Derek Chauvin to prison. Chauvin never had an exit strategy for his knee lock! He got up at 9:29 because that is when a paramedic ordered him to do so. If it had taken the ambulance 25:12 to get there,  than Chauvin would have had his knee on Floyd’s neck for 25:12. Once Chauvin got his knee on Floyd’s neck, he had no intention of removing it until ordered to do so. I’m no lawyer, but I believe that’s called depraved indifference.

This is the whole ballgame. Derek Chauvin was a rogue cop, one who had 17 accusations of excessive force on his record in 19 years. He was drunk on his power, his authority, and his control. And once he got his knee on George Floyd’s neck, he had no intention of removing it until being forced to by someone else. If that isn’t Murder 2, then I don’t know what is.

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