Running racism in America thread

True. But not sure how happy to be over this.

 

Criminals hate the video; why? because they're criminals.

You know who LOVES the video? Those innocent and those who are wrongfully shot/abused/killed. That's enough justification right there.

 

The look on Chauvin's face during the reading of the verdict was priceless.

But seriously, channeling the pirate in me, if I were him, and I were released on bail at any time during the last year, I would have been a Mexican by morning.

Jose hablos lo suficientemente.

Seriously, no way I stick around for the trial.

 

The darting of his eyeballs ... was intense.

 

Does anyone?

 

This Wall Street Journal story was a good summary of everything.

Derek Chauvin Guilty of Murder in Death of George Floyd

A question for those with legal backgrounds:

Is it common for a case to include multiple degrees of murder charges, against the same person, and involving only one victim?

Maybe I haven't seen enough of this type stuff, or haven't paid enough attention, but I don't think I've ever seen someone charged with second- and third-degree murder of the same, single victim.

 

Yes - you give the jury options in case they're hung up on the higher charges that way. The offenses have different elements so double jeopardy doesn't preclude multiple convictions. Also, if you get multiple convictions you're protected if one of them gets thrown out on appeal (the murder 3 charge here is vulnerable - the Minnesota homicide statute establishing that degree is a real mess and arguably was never meant to apply to cases like this, and the Minnesota Supreme Court now could reverse that conviction if it wanted without freeing Chauvin).

 

I'm not a criminal attorney but usually someone is charged with multiple counts, what's called "lesser included counts" so that if the jury doesn't convict on the highest count, say intent to murder, they also charge "negligent" murder, aka manslaughter, so that there's essentially a backup conviction if needed. Essentially gives the jury choices if they don't want to convict on the highest charge. I think that's what happened here, but I'm not a Minn attorney, let alone a criminal attorney there.

 

A guilty verdict finds Erin Burnett looking especially radiant this evening

 

Is Nancy Pelosi moonlighting in NFL social media?

 

I wonder what the excuse de jour will be for demonstrations in Portland tonight. They damaged a Boys & Girls Club the other night. It's months beyond tiresome and ridiculous.

 

Watching some of the video from the courtroom today, two especially poignant times, one when the judge thanks the jurors for their service. Yes that's a huge reminder of what the jurors did and the sacrifices to their lives to hear the testimony and render their verdict. Secondly, bail being revoked and Chauvin remanded into custody and back to jail.