Judge in the Derek Chauvin trial says the comments of Mr. Maxine Waters may be grounds for appeal

Judge in the Derek Chauvin trial says the comments of Mr. Maxine Waters may be grounds for appeal

by

“I will give you that Congresswoman Waters has given you on appeal something that could lead to this entire trial being overturned,” Judge Peter Cahill told defense attorney Eric Nelson on Monday.

Waters on Saturday night called on protesters to “stay on the streets” and “become more confrontational” when Chauvin is acquitted in the murder of Floyd. Republicans immediately commented claiming Waters was inciting violence. The California Democrat said she was in downtown Brooklyn, Minnesota, to show her support for protesters amid ongoing protests over the death of police on Daunte Wright and to support his family as well.

“We need to stay on the streets and demand justice,” Waters told reporters on social media.

“We’re looking for a conviction and we’re looking at all the talk that happened and took place after seeing what happened to George Floyd. If nothing happens, we know we’re not just going down the street. do not stay, but we must fight for justice, ‘she added.

The defense held a hearing on Monday on recent publicity in the case, including TV shows and comments by Waters. Nelson noted that the trial was not only in the news, but was also recently featured in two fictional TV shows and what he described over the weekend as ‘threats’ to the sanctity of the jury trial by Waters.

Cahill said he was aware of Waters’ comments about “the unacceptability of anything less than a murder conviction and talking about confrontation.”

“I wish elected officials would stop talking about this case, especially in a way that is disrespectful to the rule of law and to the judiciary and our function,” Cahill later added. “I think if they want to give their opinion, they have to do it in a respectful way that is in line with their oath to the Constitution, to respect an equal branch of government.”

“They fail to do so, I think, is heinous, but I do not think it harms us with additional material that will harm this jury,” he said, adding that an opinion of a congresswoman really does not matter much not. ”

Waters did not respond to CNN’s requests for comment.

After a day of closing arguments, jury deliberations in the trial began late Monday afternoon. In the state’s closing argument, prosecutors said Chauvin knelt on Floyd’s neck and back for 9 minutes and 29 seconds because of his pride and his ego in the face of concerned bystanders. In response, the defense said Chauvin acted like a “reasonable officer” in that situation and said there was no evidence that he intentionally or intentionally used violence that was illegal.
The outcome of the trial could provoke protests in light of national unrest over the recent deaths of Black Americans among police. According to a U.S. Defense Department, the military is ready to approve a request that DC National Guard forces be deployed as soon as Monday night if there is unrest following the ruling.

CNN’s Chandelis Duster, Eric Levenson and Aaron Cooper contributed to this report.

.Source