Three days after George Floyd was killed, Derek Chauvin agreed to plead guilty to third degree murder and serve a term of at least ten years in federal prison, before the deal was revoked by Attorney General Bill Barr who was concerned it was too lenient.
nytimes.com/2021/02/10/us/…
nytimes.com/2021/02/10/us/…
Chauvin's new trial on state charges is due to start in a few weeks, although prosecutors are asking for an adjournment and are appealing the court's decision to sever Chauvin's trial from the other officers involved in Mr. Floyd's murder.
The defense plans to put Mr. Floyd's character on trial.
In a series of motions filed this week, Chauvin's defense attorney asked the court to allow testimony about Mr. Floyd’s alleged drug use and to forbid anyone at trial from referring to Mr. Floyd as the "victim."
In a series of motions filed this week, Chauvin's defense attorney asked the court to allow testimony about Mr. Floyd’s alleged drug use and to forbid anyone at trial from referring to Mr. Floyd as the "victim."
Not being able to refer to the victim of a homicide as a victim would seem extraordinary.
Sometimes, in cases where there is a complainant, criminal defense attorneys will object to the prosecutor referring to the complainant as "the victim." That makes sense. They are the complainant.
But in a homicide case, I cannot imagine ever making that objection.
But in a homicide case, I cannot imagine ever making that objection.
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