I don't know why Chauvin's attorney didn't insist that this chair be removed before the trial began.
As a criminal defense attorney, you know optics are everything.
You've now just signaled to the jury that your client doesn't have one person willing to support him in court.
As a criminal defense attorney, you know optics are everything.
You've now just signaled to the jury that your client doesn't have one person willing to support him in court.
https://twitter.com/OmarJimenez/status/1379100909981073413
One of the most important things you want to do is have friends and family attend court for your client.
Here, because access to the courtroom is restricted, Chauvin's lawyer had to know no one was going to be showing up, so it seems a significant oversight.
Here, because access to the courtroom is restricted, Chauvin's lawyer had to know no one was going to be showing up, so it seems a significant oversight.
It may be less important for a White former cop in front of a majority-White jury, but when you are representing a Black or Brown person in front of a majority-White jury, you are already starting from a position where you have to overcome all the usual racist tropes.
The major one of course is that your client is a criminal - because they are charged with a crime.
That's why you make sure, for instance, if your client is incarcerated, that they have street clothes.
That's why you make sure, for instance, if your client is incarcerated, that they have street clothes.
It's why you make sure to look physically comfortable with your client, to touch them on the shoulder, lean over to talk to them etc. Hopefully that comes naturally, but you just want to make sure that you do everything you can to show the jury your client is just a person.
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