Judge In George Floyd Case Denies Separate Trials For 4 Cops Charged In His Death, Trial Will Remain In Minneapolis

Judge In George Floyd Case Denies Separate Trials For 4 Cops Charged In His Death, Trial Will Remain In Minneapolis

Attorneys for Derek Chauvin and his three co-defendants, charged in the death of George Floyd, were dealt a potential blow to their cases after a Minnesota judge ordered a single trial, declining their requests for separate trials.

Reportedly, attorneys for the four ex-Minneapolis policemen (Derek Chauvin, J. Alexander Kueng, Thomas Lane, and Tou Thao) previously asked that their clients have their own trial, as the men now blame each other for what took place.

Former MPD Officer Derek Chauvin pins his knee on George Floyd’s neck

But, Hennepin County Judge Peter Cahill doesn’t quite agree.  The judge said that having a trial together would

“ensure that the jury understands… all of the evidence and the complete picture of Floyd’s death.”

According to Judge Cahill, the complications of separate trials would be too great.

In addition to requesting separate trials, attorneys for the four co-defendants requested to move the trial outside of Minneapolis, citing that the case had brought too much media attention and would make it almost impossible for their clients to receive a fair trial.

That too, was a request that was denied by Judge Cahill, but he did say he would revisit that decision in the future if need be.

George Floyd

As previously reported, George Floyd was suffocated to death on May 25th, while in handcuffs, by Derek Chauvin who had his knee pressed into Floyd’s neck for over 8 minutes. Derek Chauvin has since been charged with second-degree murder, third-degree murder, and manslaughter. While his counterparts, Thomas Lane, J. Kueng, and Tou Thao, have been charged with aiding and abetting, second-degree murder, and manslaughter.

Do you agree that having one singular trial is best for the jurors?  Share your thoughts with us below.