Watching and waiting…. That’s what Minneapolis… and the country is doing as jurors deliberate the fate of former Minneapolis Police officer Derek Chauvin, accused of murder in the death of George Floyd.
Prosecutors and defense attorneys wrapped their closing arguments in the closely-watched case on Monday.
The trial unfolded against the backdrop of more unrest in Minnesota over the recent killing of Daunte Wright, who is black, at the hands of a white police officer. Wright’s death sparked days of protests in nearby Brooklyn Center.
Adding fuel to the fire were comments by Democratic Congresswoman Maxine Waters, who urged protesters to quote “get more confrontational” if the jury declines to convict Chauvin.
The judge in the trial said Waters’ words could hand the defense a reason to get the whole case thrown out on appeal.
Cities across the country are bracing for the possibility of violence if Chauvin is acquitted on one or more of the charges against him. He faces three: second-degree murder, third-degree murder and second-degree manslaughter.
