who is the prosecuting attorney in the chauvin case

by Wilhelm Gottlieb IV 6 min read

One of the most closely watched trials in modern American history concluded Tuesday with a jury finding a former Minneapolis police officer guilty of murdering George Floyd. The prosecutor at the helm of the state's case against Derek Chauvin, Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison, was born and raised in Detroit.Apr 21, 2021

Who are Derek Chauvin’s lawyers?

Dec 08, 2021 · Eldridge was one of the prosecuting attorneys in the murder trial of former Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin in the death of George Floyd.

Did urbanites take notice of the black prosecutor at Derek Chauvin trial?

Apr 05, 2021 · While Derek Chauvin’s attorney, Eric Nelson, works alone, the prosecution is being handled by two assistant attorneys general, Matthew Frank and Erin Eldridge, and two outside lawyers, Jerry ...

Was Chauvin in talks to plead guilty before arrest?

Mar 29, 2021 · Matthew Frank, a 21-year veteran of the Minnesota Attorney General's Office, is leading the prosecution of Derek Chauvin, the cop who has been charged with murder and manslaughter in the death of...

What are the opening statements in the Chauvin case?

Apr 21, 2021 · Prosecutor for Derek Chauvin. Erin Eldridge is one of the Minnesota Assistant Attorneys General and one of the principal prosecutors in the Derek Chauvin trial ending on April 20, 2021. Eldridge was one of the main Derek Chauvin Prosecutors. Matthew Frank Prosecution Team in Derek Chauvin Trial

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Who is the lone defense attorney in Minnesota?

Nelson is the lone defense attorney, aided in court by a legal assistant who is also an attorney but who hasn’t taken part in the courtroom arguments. The defense is funded through the Minnesota Police and Peace Officers Association’s legal defense fund.

Who is Sue McGraugh?

St. Louis University School of Law professor Sue McGraugh said she sought to make a personal connection with jurors when she was a prosecutor. She said she’s rarely seen a case with so many prosecutors, and that it carries some risk. “It’s unusual because, as someone who has tried a lot of cases, you do want the jury to form some sort ...

How old was Jacob Wetterling when he was killed?

He spent 13 years in the U.S. attorney’s office and was a prosecutor in the case of Danny Heinrich, who confessed in 2016 that he killed 11-year-old Jacob Wetterling in 1989, and led authorities to his body.

Who is John Blackwell?

Blackwell is a prominent Black civil rights attorney and one of the founders of the Minnesota Association of Black Lawyers. Last year, he won a posthumous pardon for a Black man wrongly convicted of rape before the infamous Duluth lynchings of 1920.

Is Nelson in court alone?

While Nelson is alone in court, he can consult with the other 11 attorneys, the association said. Still, the in-court optics are hard to ignore. Judge Peter Cahill has said Nelson “does not have the same level of support” as the prosecution. By JIM SALTER Associated Press.

Did Katyal get Chauvin's murder charge reinstated?

Katyal led a successful effort to get a third-degree murder charge reinstated against Chauvin after the judge initially ruled it didn’t fit the circumstances. Stiles said in an email that about half of the outside attorneys are working full-time on the case.

How old was Lori Reiss when she was prosecuted?

He joined the attorney general's office in January 2000. Most recently, Frank prosecuted 58-year-old Lori Reiss, who killed her husband in 2018, then fled to Florida, where she killed a woman and attempted to assume her identity.

What drug did Floyd use?

Chauvin's attorney, Eric Nelson, has argued that Floyd's drug use was the main cause of his death. He wrote in an August court filing that "adding fentanyl and methamphetamine to Mr. Floyd’s existing health issues was tantamount to lighting a fuse on a bomb," according to The Washington Post .

Can Floyd's drug trial be used?

The judge presiding over the case ruled last week that some evidence from a 2019 arrest in which Floyd allegedly swallowed drugs while being apprehended can be used during the murder trial.

Who is Lola Velazquez Aguilu?

Velazquez-Aguilu is among the finalists for U.S. Attorney for the District of Minnesota. Lola Velazquez-Aguilu would be the first Latina to serve as the US Attorney for the District of Minnesota if she is appointed to this high profile position.

Who is Steven Schleicher?

Steven Schleicher is an experienced appellate attorney and trial lawyer before being called to public service in the murder trial of Derek Chauvin. Schleicher delivered the much of state’s evidence and arguments ultimately paying off with three guilty verdicts for the murder of George Floyd on Memorial Day in 2020.

Who is Matthew Frank?

Matthew Frank was one of Derek Chauvin’s Prosecutors that helped convict him for murdering George Floyd on May 25, 2020, and Minnesota Assistant Attorney General. Matthew Frank was one of the main Derek Chauvin Prosecutors on the dream team prosecution team.

Who is Keith Ellison?

Keith Ellison is Minnesota’s Attorney General and a member of the DFL and appointed special prosecutor by Tim Walz that helped convict Derek Chauvin for the murder of George Floyd on 4/20/2021.

When did Max Mason get pardoned?

As a founder of the Minnesota Association of Black Lawyers, Blackwell was able to vindicate Max Mason with the posthumous pardon in June of 2020. Blackwell effectively cleared Max Mason’s name after he was wrongly convicted of rape in 1920 in connection with the Duluth lynchings.

Who is Zuri Balmakund?

Zuri Balmakund Santiago is originally from Spanish Harlem, but since July 2019 Balkmakund has advised and litigated on behalf of the Department of Human Services in Minnesota and as an assistant attorney general at the Minnesota Attorney General’s office.

Who is Erin Eldridge?

Erin Eldridge is one of the Minnesota Assistant Attorneys General and one of the principal prosecutors in the Derek Chauvin trial ending on April 20, 2021. Eldridge was one of the main Derek Chauvin Prosecutors.

Who were the three men arrested in the Newsweek trial?

Following the arrest of Mason and five others, an angry mob broke into the police station, pulled the men from their cells, and held a "mock trial" in which they found Isaac McGhie, Elmer Jackson and Elias Clayton guilty. The three men were beaten and lynched.

Who is the founder of the Minnesota Association of Black Lawyers?

Along with his legal work, Blackwell is the founder of the Minnesota Association of Black Lawyers and served as an at-large member of the Minnesota Commission on Judicial Appointments until 2019. His hobbies include beekeeping and mediation, according to the firm's website.

What happened to the three men in the Duluth massacre?

The three men were beaten and lynched. "They met little resistance from the police, who had been ordered not to use their guns," the Minnesota Historical Society wrote on its webpage. The Minnesota National Guard was called to Duluth and the three surviving men were transferred to a St. Louis County jail.

How long is the sentence for the first charge?

The first charge comes with a sentence of up to 40 years in prison and the second holds a slightly lesser sentence of up to 25 years. While similar, the charges are different, and offering an easy explanation of the nuances between the two will be vital for the prosecution to obtain a guilty verdict on the more serious charge. ...

Where did Blackwell Burke get his law degree?

He earned both his bachelor's and law degrees from the University of North Carolina.

Who represents 3M?

Blackwell has successfully represented the 3M Company in a number of cases, including one brought by former Minnesota Attorney General Lori Swanson, Ellison's predecessor. The Blackwell Burke P.A. website touts Blackwell' s ability to "communicate complicated legal, scientific and business issues to jurors."

What did Chauvin do in 2021?

Blackwell explained to jurors on Monday, March 29, 2021, that Chauvin “betrayed his badge” when he “didn’t let up, he didn’t get up” even after Floyd uttered that he couldn’t breathe 27 times before going silent and motionless. Chauvin is subsequently facing charges of second-degree murder, third-degree murder and second-degree manslaughter.

Who was the black man who was convicted of rape?

Just last year, Blackwell returned to the national spotlight by securing the posthumous pardon for a Black man named Max Mason, who was falsely convicted and hung in Duluth, Minnesota, for the alleged rape of a White woman in 1920.

How many states does Blackwell practice in?

Furthermore, Blackwell is allowed to practice law in five states, as well as before the Supreme Court and Fourth, Seventh, Eighth, Ninth and Eleventh Circuit Courts of Appeals.

Who is Keith Ellison?

Blackwell, the founder, CEO and chairman of the law firm Blackwell Burke P.A., was appointed to be a part of the formidable prosecution team, which also includes Keith Ellison, the first Black attorney general in Minnesota’s history.

Did Blackwell make the decision to be a part of the state's case against Chauvin?

Actually, Blackwell made the decision to be a part of the state’s case against Chauvin on a pro bono basis , meaning he won’t be compensated for his time and effort, Newsweek reports. This shouldn’t surprise his colleagues and members of his inner circle.

Who appointed Steve Schleicher?

Steve Schleicher was appointed by Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison to serve, "on a pro bono basis," as a member of the prosecution team for the George Floyd case. The appointment was made during the summer of 2020. Attorney General Ellison said at the time: "Out of respect for Judge Cahill's gag order, I will say simply ...

Who is Steve Schleicher?

STEVE Schleicher is a lawyer serving as a member of the prosecution team for Derek Chauvin's murder trial. Chauvin, a former police officer, was convicted of murder and manslaughter in the death of George Floyd, who died on a Minneapolis street on May 25, 2020.

What is the work of Schleicher?

The lawyer focuses his work on criminal defense, government and internal investigations, and high stakes civil litigation, according to the press release. Schleicher spoke as the prosecution made closing arguments on April 19 during Chauvin's trial. 3.

Who is the judge in the Hennepin County case?

The judge in the case is Peter Cahill, who was appointed to the bench in 2007 and before that had run the Hennepin County Attorney’s Office for 10 years and also had his own private law practice.

Who is the head of the Minnesota criminal division?

The prosecution was led by the head of Minnesota’s criminal division, Assistant Attorney General Matthew Frank. Outside lawyers include Steven Schleicher, a former federal prosecutor who handled jury selection for the prosecution. He delivered the prosecution’s closing argument on Monday 19 April.

Who was Max Mason pardoned for?

Last June he won a posthumous pardon for Max Mason, a Black circus worker wrongly convicted of rape in 1920. The prosecution team also includes former acting US Solicitor General Neal Katyal, who is now a partner at Hogan Lovells in Washington DC.

Who was the first African American attorney general?

Mr Ellison, a former congressman, is the first African American and first Muslim to hold the office of attorney general in the state. During the pre-trial hearings Mr Ellison was represented by his team of lawyers, some of whom are working the case on a pro bono basis, meaning they will not be paid.

Who is Jerry Blackwell?

Jerry Blackwell, one of the founders of the Minnesota Association of Black Lawyers, and the CEO of Blackwell Burke, is assisting the prosecution team without charge. Mr Blackwell handled the prosecution’s opening arguments in the case late last month.

Who was the head of the prosecution in Chauvin's case?

Following Chauvin's conviction, Ellison , who served as the head of prosecution, held a televised press conference in which he thanked his prosecution team. Hennepin County District Attorney Mike Freeman and trial lawyers Steve Schleider, Jerry Blackwell and Matthew Frank were among those who spoke at Ellison 's post-trial press conference.

When was Chauvin sentenced to prison?

It was the first conviction of a white officer in Minnesota for the murder of a black person. On June 25, 2021, Chauvin was sentenced to 22.5 years in prison for the second-degree murder. The trial was held at the Hennepin County Government Center in Minneapolis, and it ran from March 8, 2021, through April 20.

What happened in the state of Minnesota vs. Chauvin?

Derek Michael Chauvin is an American criminal case in the District Court of Minnesota in which former Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin was tried and convicted of the murder of George Floyd during an arrest on May 25, 2020. Chauvin was found guilty of second-degree unintentional murder, ...

What was the body camera footage of Floyd?

Body camera footage from the four officers involved was entered into evidence and shown at trial. Shortly after Floyd was taken away in an ambulance Chauvin's body camera shows him responding to a bystander who took issue with his kneeling on Floyd's neck. Chauvin responded to the bystander saying, "That's one person's opinion, we had to control this guy because he's a sizable guy. It looks like he's probably on something." Prosecutors also showed surveillance footage of Floyd at Cup Foods shortly before his death.

Why did Hansen see Floyd?

Hansen said she saw that Floyd "had an altered state of consciousness", because he was not responding to the "painful stimuli" of Chauvin's knee on his neck. She wanted to check Floyd for consciousness, start chest compressions, as well as render other medical attention, but was denied access to Floyd by the police.

What was the oxygen level of Floyd's blood?

Tobin testified that autopsy results showed Floyd's blood had an oxygen saturation level of 98% , meaning, "all there was for anything else was 2%" and humans normally have a blood level of 0 to 3% carbon monoxide at any given time.

What did the Guardian report about the trial?

The Guardian reported that countries around the word showed an intense interest in the trial with news organizations live blogging the proceedings and the guilty outcome of the trial . They commented that many felt relief that the jury had delivered a verdict that many felt was correct and questioned what it meant for future U.S. racial relations. Summarizing world coverage they reported:

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Overview

Trial

Hennepin County Judge Peter Cahill presided over the case. Cahill has been a judge since 2007 and previously worked as both a public defender and prosecutor.
On May 31, 2020, Governor Tim Walz announced that Attorney General Keith Ellison would lead the prosecution instead of County Attorney Michael O. Free…

Background

Derek Chauvin was one of four officers of the Minneapolis Police Department (MPD) involved in the arrest of George Floyd on May 25, 2020, on suspicion of using a counterfeit $20 bill at a market. He also served as the field training officerfor one of the other officers involved. While Floyd was handcuffed and lying facedown on the street, Chauvin knelt on Floyd's neck for nine minutes and 29 …

Reactions

Protests, rallies, and marches have occurred outside of the courthouse, which officials surrounded with a temporary concrete barrier, metal fencing, and barbed wirein anticipation of civil unrest. In early 2021, Minneapolis and Hennepin County officials spent $1 million on fencing and barricades for government buildings and police stations in anticipation of civil unrest during t…

Opinion polling

Three in four Americans share the view that the jury reached the right verdict in the trial of Derek Chauvin. Among White Americans, 90% of Democrats polled believe the right verdict was reached while only 54% of Republicans find the guilty decision to be correct. 93% of Black Americans agree with the decision. Polling shows that of the 25% who believe that the jury did not reach the right decision, they also "strongly disagree" with the beliefs of the Black Lives Matter movement. …

External links

• Media related to State v. Chauvin at Wikimedia Commons
• Former Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin found guilty of murdering George Floyd at Wikinews
• State vs. Derek Chauvin (27-CR-20-12646) at Minnesota Judicial Branch