Current:Home > StocksSupreme Court declines appeal from Derek Chauvin in murder of George Floyd -StockSource
Supreme Court declines appeal from Derek Chauvin in murder of George Floyd
View
Date:2025-04-26 05:56:37
Washington — The Supreme Court on Monday turned away an appeal by former Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin, leaving in place his conviction for the killing of George Floyd in May 2020.
Lawyers for Chauvin had asked the Supreme Court in October to take up his legal battle, which centered around a Minnesota trial court's denial of his requests for a change of venue and to sequester the jury. Chauvin argued that the decision to keep the proceedings in Minneapolis deprived him of his right to a fair trial because of pretrial publicity and the threat of violence and riots in the event he was acquitted.
"Mr. Chauvin's case shows the profound difficulties trial courts have to ensure a criminal defendant's right to an impartial jury consistently when extreme cases arise," his lawyers told the court in a filing, adding that the jurors who heard the case "had a vested interest in finding Mr. Chauvin guilty in order to avoid further rioting in the community in which they lived and the possible threat of physical harm to them or their families."
The Minnesota Court of Appeals affirmed Chauvin's conviction and rejected his request for a new trial in April after his lawyer challenged the decision by Hennepin County Judge Peter Cahill not to move the trial from Minneapolis, among other issues. The state supreme court declined to review that decision in July, leaving in place Chauvin's conviction and 22 ½-year sentence.
A 12-member Hennepin County jury found Chauvin guilty of second-degree murder, third-degree murder and second-degree manslaughter in April 2021 for the death of Floyd, a 46-year-old Black man whose killing led to nationwide protests against police brutality and racial injustice.
Video taken by a bystander of Floyd's fatal encounter with Minneapolis police on May 25, 2020, showed Chauvin, who is White, pressing his knee to Floyd's neck for more than nine minutes. Three other police officers involved in the episode were charged and are serving shorter sentences.
Chauvin was sentenced to 22 ½ years in prison in June 2021. He also pleaded guilty in December 2021 to a federal charge of violating Floyd's civil rights and was sentenced to 21 years in federal prison, which he is serving concurrently with his state sentence.
Chauvin is now seeking to overturn his conviction on the federal charge, arguing in a filing last week that he wouldn't have pleaded guilty had he been aware of the theories of a Kansas-based pathologist who does not believe Floyd died as a result of Chauvin's actions.
Melissa QuinnMelissa Quinn is a politics reporter for CBSNews.com. She has written for outlets including the Washington Examiner, Daily Signal and Alexandria Times. Melissa covers U.S. politics, with a focus on the Supreme Court and federal courts.
TwitterveryGood! (595)
Related
- Average rate on 30
- While Alabama fans grieve on Paul Finebaum Show, Kalen DeBoer enjoys path to recovery
- RHONY Preview: How Ubah Hassan's Feud With Brynn Whitfield Really Started
- What are legumes? Why nutrition experts love TikTok's dense bean salad trend
- IRS recovers $4.7 billion in back taxes and braces for cuts with Trump and GOP in power
- Courts keep weighing in on abortion. Next month’s elections could mean even bigger changes
- Appeals Court Hears Arguments in Case Claiming Environmental Racism in Cancer Alley Zoning
- While Alabama fans grieve on Paul Finebaum Show, Kalen DeBoer enjoys path to recovery
- South Korean president's party divided over defiant martial law speech
- I'm a Shopping Editor, Here's What I'm Buying From October Prime Day 2024: The 51 Best Amazon Deals
Ranking
- Nevada attorney general revives 2020 fake electors case
- Kanye West and Wife Bianca Censori Step Out Together Amid Breakup Rumors
- Takeaways from AP investigation on the struggle to change a police department
- Why Lisa Marie Presley Kept Son Benjamin Keough's Body on Dry Ice for 2 Months After His Death
- North Carolina justices rule for restaurants in COVID
- Should you give your dog gluten-free food? How to tell if pup has an intolerance.
- Lunds & Byerlys' Lone Star Dip recalled due to 'potential mold growth contamination'
- How Scheana Shay Is Playing Matchmaker for Brittany Cartwright Amid Jax Taylor Divorce
Recommendation
Paula Abdul settles lawsuit with former 'So You Think You Can Dance' co
Mark Wahlberg's Wife Rhea Durham Shares NSFW Photo of Him on Vacation
Saints vs. Chiefs highlights: Chiefs dominate Saints in 'Monday Night Football' matchup
Woman accusing Vince McMahon of sexual abuse asks WWE to waive confidentiality agreements
Whoopi Goldberg is delightfully vile as Miss Hannigan in ‘Annie’ stage return
Powerball winning numbers for October 7: Jackpot rises to $315 million
The cumulative stress of policing has public safety consequences for law enforcement officers, too
Sally Field recounts her 'horrific' illegal abortion in video supporting Kamala Harris