Derek Chauvin Judge Says Rep. Maxine Waters Comments May Be Grounds for Appeal

Judge Peter Cahill rejected a defense request for a mistrial in the trial of former Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin, based in part on comments from California Rep. Maxine Waters, who said “we’ve got to get more confrontational” if Chauvin isn’t convicted of murder.

The judge told Chauvin’s attorney: “Congresswoman Waters may have given you something on appeal that may result in this whole trial being overturned.” He called her comments “abhorrent” and “disrespectful to the rule of law and to the judicial branch.”

Defense Attorney Eric Nelson made the case for a mistrial, describing how pervasive news about the Chauvin trial has become. Judge Cahill replied that jurors have been instructed not to watch the news, adding that "a Congresswoman's opinion really doesn't matter a whole lot."

Chauvin, 45, is charged with second-degree murder, third-degree murder and second-degree manslaughter in the death of George Floyd. All of the charges require the jury to conclude that Chauvin's actions were a “substantial causal factor” in Floyd’s death and that his use of force was unreasonable.

The defense contended that the now-fired white officer acted reasonably and that the 46-year-old Floyd died of a heart condition and illegal drug use.

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