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UPDATE (2:20 p.m.): The defense exercised their fourth strike to remove potential juror No. 28.
The potential juror indicated he and his family were advocates for police reform and that he had a “very negative” view of Derek Chauvin, but also said his personal interactions with law enforcement have “always been very positive.”
Another potential juror was excused because of their age.
UPDATE (1:35 p.m.): A fifth juror has been seated in the Derek Chauvin trial.
He is a multilingual Black man in his 30s who works in IT. He immigrated to the United States 14 years ago and has lived in Minnesota since 2012.
On his questionnaire, he indicated he “strongly agrees” the police in his community make him feel safe. During questioning, he said he has never had cause to call the police in his community.
UPDATE (11:47 a.m.): The defense strikes potential juror No. 26 from the case.
The potential juror was a man who appeared Asian and spoke with an accent. He has has lived in Minneapolis for more than 10 years. He is married and is the father of three girls, ages 10-16. In the questionnaire, he said that the case became personal to him following the protests and destruction in the city. He said he took his wife and one of his daughters to 38th and Chicago, where George Floyd was arrested. He posted photos of the visit to social media and told the court he donated to clean-up/relief efforts.
Also in the questionnaire, the man wrote that he had a “somewhat negative” impression of Derek Chauvin. Additionally, he said that he had a favorable impression of Black Lives Matter, but believed that all lives matter and that politicians took advantage of Black Lives Matter for their own agendas. He said he’d never heard the phrase “Blue Lives Matter,” although he was strongly against any movement to defund the police.
When asked if he thought justice in this case could result in a not guilty verdict, he said yes.
UPDATE: (11:02 a.m.): Prosecutors in the Derek Chauvin trial strike potential juror No. 23 from the jury.
The potential juror was a woman in her 60s who had lived in Minneapolis for 25 years. She works in marketing and was originally from western Minnesota. She has a relative who is a sheriff’s deputy and a brother who works as a court administrator.
When asked about the protests in Minneapolis following George Floyd’s death, she said that they turned into riots and “painted Minneapolis in a poor light.” She said that she has never participated in a protest in her life.
When asked about Black Lives Matter and Blues Lives Matter, she said that she wished the slogans were changed to “All Lives Matter.”
UPDATE (9:52 a.m.): A fourth juror is seated in the Derek Chauvin trial.
The juror is a white man in his late 30s/early 40s from central Minnesota who works in sales. When questioned Wednesday morning, he told the court that he he knows a scientist on the witness list who works for the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension. They were college friends but haven’t spoken in a year or two. He also said that he had a cousin who once was a police officer in another state.
When asked if he thought a police officer was more likely to tell the truth than a bystander, he said yes, but qualified it by adding that police officers can also lie. He said he’s seen questionable use of police force on the reality TV show “Cops.”
In answering the 16-page questionnaire, the juror had a very favorable response to the Black Lives Matter movement and a negative response to the Blue Lives Matter. He said that he is a Vikings season ticket holder and believes athletes should be able to take a knee in protest during the national anthem. He said he believes the criminal justice system is biased against minorities.
The juror has an upcoming wedding planned for May 1. However, he said he’d make other plans in order to serve on the jury. “If we have to pivot, we have to pivot,” he said.
Fourth juror is chosen in #DerekChauvin trial – man who has a 5 year old son , grew up in central Mn. , has a very favorable view of Black LIves Matter, is @vikings ticket holder, scheduled to marry on May 1, but said he is willing to reschedule Fla wedding. Race details to come
— esme murphy (@esmemurphy) March 10, 2021
Read The Latest Derek Chauvin Trial Coverage
MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) — Jury selection in the murder trial of former Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin, who is accused of killing George Floyd, resumes Wednesday morning.
Three jurors were chosen Tuesday, the first full day of jury selection.
WATCH LIVE: Follow jury selection on CBSN Minnesota.
The first juror seated was a white Jewish chemist in his 20s or 30s. The defense team asked him several different ways how he handles disputes, and he was adamant that he can distinguish facts from opinions.
The second juror selected was a woman, described by the pool reporter as a person of color, in her 20s or 30s. Her uncle is a police officer and she is originally from northern Minnesota. She was enthusiastic to be on the jury.
The third juror seated was a white man, an auditor and is in his 30s.
Attorneys still need to pick 11 more people: nine seats on the jury, and two alternates.
RELATED: Timeline: George Floyd’s Death, Unrest In Minneapolis And The Derek Chauvin Case
Meanwhile, a decision from the Minnesota Court of Appeals could halt the proceedings at any moment. Prosecutors called on the appellate court Monday to pause the trial as a review concerning a third-degree murder charge in the case makes its way through the courts.
According to experts, a third-degree murder charge could make it easier for prosecutors to land a conviction.
Chauvin is currently facing charges of second-degree murder and manslaughter. He pleaded not guilty to both charges.
Three other former Minneapolis police officers are also charged in Floyd’s death with aiding and abetting murder and manslaughter. Their trial is slated for later this summer.
Floyd, a Black man, died on May 25 after being arrested outside a south Minneapolis convenience store. Bystander video of the arrest showed Chauvin, who is white, kneeling on Floyd’s neck for several minutes while Floyd was handcuffed, repeatedly saying he couldn’t breathe.
Floyd’s death led to protests and riots in the Twin Cities, as well as to a national reckoning on racial inequities and policing.
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