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President Biden praying for ‘right verdict’ in Derek Chauvin trial
Jonathan Lemire And Michael Balsamo
Associated Press
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Copyright 2021 The Associated Press. All rights reserved
President Joe Biden speaks during a meeting with members of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus, in the Oval Office of the White House, Tuesday, April 20, 2021, in Washington. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)
WASHINGTON – Before Tuesday s guilty verdicts were read out, President Joe Biden said he was praying for the right verdict” in the trial of former Minneapolis Police Officer Derek Chauvin.
The former officer was convicted of two counts of murder and one of manslaughter in the death of George Floyd, a case that sparked a national reckoning on race and policing.
Cahill delivered his rebuke after rejecting a defense request for a mistrial based in part on comments from California Rep. Maxine Waters, who said “we’ve got to get more confrontational” if Chauvin isn’t convicted of murder. Speaking of politicians in general, the judge said, I think if they want to give their opinions, they should do so in a respectful and in a manner that is consistent with their oath to the Constitution to respect a coequal branch of government. Their failure to do so, I think, is abhorrent.”
He conceded to Chauvin s attorneys that Waters comments could potentially be grounds for an appeal.
Biden and Harris called on Congress to act swiftly to address policing reform, including by approving a bill named for Floyd, who died with his neck under Chauvin’s knee last May. Beyond that, the president said, the entire country must confront hatred to “change hearts and minds as well as laws and policies.”
“‘I can’t breathe.’ Those were George Floyd’s last words,” Biden said. “We can’t let those words die with him. We have to keep hearing those words. We must not turn away. We can’t turn away.” A Minnesota jury found former police officer Derek Chauvin guilty of second-degree murder, third-degree murder and second-degree manslaughter in the death of George Floyd.
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