As the jury selection phase in the murder trial of former Minneapolis cop Derek Chauvin continues, the judge in the case has moved to preempt the prosecution from comparing the deceased to Jesus Christ.
Judge Peter Cahill granted the motion to ban the inevitable likening of George Floyd to Christ’s crucifixion, an inevitable comparison considering the martyr status that has been bestowed upon the longtime criminal and drug addict.
It was the first major setback for former DNC co-chair Keith Ellison who as Minnesota’s attorney general is staking all of his political capital on the conviction and imprisonment of Chauvin.
Via The National File, “Judge Passes Motion Banning Comparisons Of George Floyd’s Death To Jesus Christ’s Crucifixion At Chauvin Trial”:
Judge Peter Cahill granted a motion preventing the death of convicted felon George Floyd from being likened to the crucifixion of Jesus Christ during the Derek Chauvin murder trial striking a major blow to Black Lives Matter activists who had hoped to paint Floyd as a martyred holy figure.
The judge was presented with the following motion on Monday:“The Defendant moves the Court for an Order precluding any expert from likening the death of George Floyd to the crucifixion of Jesus Christ on the ground that such analogy is prejudicial.”
Judge Cahill agree with the motion and it was passed without incident. The defense team cited previous instances of Floyd being compared to Jesus Christ by eyewitnesses, which were quickly recognized by the judge as inaccurate and prejudicial.
Black Lives Matter is not going to be happy with this development.
Meanwhile, five jurors have now been selected with the trial phase now expected to begin near the end of the month. The jurors include a black person, throwing cold water on suggestions that the selection process would be prejudicial against persons of color.
At least one prospective juror was dismissed after voicing concerns that the mob would attack his home and family if he was doxed by the social media mob.
Via Fox News:
State prosecutors on Tuesday used their first peremptory strike on “Juror #8.”
While questioned by Nelson, Juror #8 appeared to express more concern about being on the jury for this high-profile case compared to those previously interviewed. On his questionnaire given to the pool of jurors in December, the man explained that his friends moved out of a condominium downtown as civil unrest consumed the streets following Floyd’s death.
The juror also said he and his wife actively avoid going downtown since then.
The man said he has a “strong opinion” about the viral video recorded by a bystander showing Chauvin with his knee pressed to Floyd’s neck — though he told the court he believes he could put his opinion aside to look at the facts of the case. He said he believes the concept that Black Lives Matter — but does not support the BLM movement or organization. On the other hand, he does support Blue Lives Matter, he said.
The juror agreed with Nelson that the case is about neither issue. After a break for lunch, prosecutors indicated they had a long line of questioning for the same juror, who then expressed concerns that rioters would attack his house if he serves on the jury and his name is released throughout the trial. He added that he fears a mob would come after his wife and children. Prosecutors had him dismissed.
With the Minneapolis city council having done much to erode the ability of the police to control crime since last summer’s looting and destruction, there is a legitimate fear from citizens that their safety could be at risk if they are on a jury that doesn’t convict Chauvin.
Jury selection will continue on Thursday.
