This is a nail biter. CNN has confirmed that this is not a hung jury, and pundits are leaping to speculate that it’s a guilty verdict, because a not guilty verdict would take a longer deliberation. That opinion is being countered by the observation that the O.J. Simpson jury took four hours to acquit — but Chauvin doesn’t have a magic glove or any other such McGuffin.
This is very bad news for Chauvin.
It is hard to believe that the jury could come back with a "not guilty" verdict this quickly, if ever, and his team had to be hoping for a hung jury. https://t.co/MgN6hgDMih
— Renato Mariotti (@renato_mariotti) April 20, 2021
Or there could be one Trump supporter in the jury who said “I will never, EVER vote to convict. EVER. You’re wasting your time. So let’s just tell them right now, and they can declare a mistrial.”
I desperately hope this isn’t the case, but I’ve learned not to be optimistic.
— FourWideOnes (@FourWideOnes) April 20, 2021
Here’s a link to live coverage. We will know within the hour what’s what.
I LOVE how quickly the proceedings went once the jury was back in the courtroom. None of that having a Bailiff walk the verdict forms over to the judge, him reading them and then passing them back to be given to the clerk or the jury foreperson (it varies state to state) to read out loud. And then having the defense go through the process of moving to poll the jurors individually. Nope. Once the jury was seated he opened the envelope and calmly read the verdicts and then went immediately into polling the jury.
Boom.
Done and done. None of that fiddle farting around. No dragging out the moment with unnecessary pauses in the procedure. It was pure rip off the fucking band-aid and get it over with. That’s the way it should be. I have to admit I held my breath until the third time I heard the word Guilty.
I found myself looking at Chauvin when the camera turned to him and maybe I’m making something out that wasn’t there but unlike the indifferent expression on his face during those long minutes as he murdered George Floyd there was actual concern bordering on shock in his eyes. Of course, he had most of his face hidden by his mask but I can’t help but wonder if his jaw dropped. And he quietly said “Oh shit” or something similar. Watching him during defense closing when for the only time he was maskless he seemed to have a confident demeanor, a “I’ll be ok” type of look.
But the best was yet to come. Right after and I mean RIGHT after the jury was polled the prosecution made a motion to revoke Chauvin’s bail and remand him to custody. The judge wasted NO time granting it and again BOOM! Chauvin was on his feet and they were putting handcuffs on HIM and leading him out of the courtroom. If any words at all were exchanged between him and his lawyer they were very few and so quiet no one could hear them. There will be appeals of course and likely an attempt to get Chauvin out on bail as that proceeds but his situation has changed. He no longer has the legal benefit of the presumption of innocence. He has had a fair trial and been convicted on all counts. The legal burden to prove he should be released prior to sentencing and/or appeals is now on HIM and not the state of Minnesota.
All of this isn’t over. Keep in mind other cops who took part in Floyd’s murder have yet to be tried. Instead of being tried as a group they argued for and got separate trials. I can’t help but wonder if seeing that the jury came back with resounding Guilty verdicts will make the others rethink the notion of trial. Especially if Chauvin stays locked up. They just might decide to cut a deal to get some years shaved off of their time in prison. For everyone’s sake I hope that’s what happens and that it happens soon.
Having said all that I’m not celebrating. There are other cases out there in other places. But this moment might, if we are very lucky prove to be a watershed moment. Second degree murder took an extraordinary set of circumstances to achieve. Still, if people keep their heads (now I’m getting pie in the sky hopeful I fear) today might be a wake-up call for LE all over the country. A LOT of cops both good and bad will think over what’s transpired in that courtroom the past few weeks. Cops and Police Chiefs might be more willing to walk into court and openly say “No, the accused officer did NOT follow procedure” and more cops might be convicted. Not all cops who kill someone in the line of duty and should be charged and tried will be. But maybe more of them will. Maybe juries will start taking back the power of the people, and letting cops know there are limits to what they will be allowed to get away with.
Cops are supposed to protect and serve. A militarized police force, made up increasingly of former military types (yes, I’m a veteran by the way) is NOT a force with a protect and serve ethic. I’ve hated the “Defund the Police” slogan since I first heard it but I’m all for de-MILITARIZING the police. I’m for the elimination of qualified immunity. Despite being a strong union supporter I’m all for reining in the power of police unions.
All that and more will be discussed and debated in the days, months and years ahead. I’m grateful that this jury kept their heads and took over a day to work through the law and apply it to the evidence they were given. From where I sit they came to the right result. Verdict is derived from the Latin for truth and the truth is that George Floyd was murdered. Some measure of justice has taken place today but it’s only one case in one jurisdiction. So keep things in perspective. Be grateful that THIS time things worked they way they should have. Hell, even (like me) have a little hope that it can lead to more justice moving forward. Just keep some very much needed perspective as we move on from today.
So well stated Dennis. Very well done.