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Former Minneapolis police officer charged with murder in the George Floyd case was seen on video holding his knee on Floyd’s neck and will be tried separately from the three other cops accused in connection with the case, according to Fox News.
Chauvin is charged with second-degree murder and second-degree manslaughter in Floyd’s death.
Former officers Tou Thao, J. Alexander Kueng and Thomas Lane are each charged with aiding and abetting second-degree murder as well as aiding and abetting second-degree manslaughter.
“The physical limitations of … the largest courtroom in the Hennepin County Government Center, make it impossible to comply with COVID-19 physcial restrictions in a joint trial involving all four defendants,” he said, “given the number of lawyers and support personnel the parties have now advised the Court are expected to be present during trial.”
“The Court is not so optimistic given news reports detailing problems with the vaccine rollout.”
From Fox News:
Last week, prosecutors asked Cahill to postpone the March 8 trial to June 7 to reduce public health risks associated with COVID-19. In his order Tuesday, the judge wrote that while the pandemic situation may be greatly improved by June.
Cahill cited a request from Chief Judge Toddrick Barnette after last week’s hearing to reconsider having all four defendants tried in March due to space concerns. Barnette wrote that in his view that the courtroom could handle up to three defendants at once.
