Jurors in ex-officerโs high-profile trial face heavy burden
The huge task for jurors at the trial of Chauvin showed during jury selection as some would-be jurors said they were unnerved by the very thought of being on the panel. A high fence installed around the courthouse for the trial is a daily reminder for jurors of security concerns. Numerous people expressed unease about serving on the panel for Chauvin's trial during the more than two weeks of jury selection. All the Chauvin jurors were asked before being impaneled if they could set aside outside influences and decide the case only on evidence presented at trial. AdAlan Tuerkheimer, a Chicago-based jury consultant, said he believed the Chauvin jurors would become increasingly calm as the trial proceeds and would be able to block out the hubbub.
Floyd family agrees to $27M settlement amidst ex-cop's trial
Floyd family attorney Ben Crump called it the largest pretrial settlement ever for a civil rights claim, and thanked city leaders for โshowing you care about George Floyd.โโItโs going to be a long journey to justice. โThis makes a statement that George Floyd deserved better than what we witnessed on May 25, 2020, that George Floydโs life mattered, and that by extension, Black lives matter.โAdโEven though my brother is not here, he's here with me in my heart,โ Philonise Floyd said. โI just want you to know how deeply we are with you,โ she said to Floyd's family members. Floydโs family filed the federal civil rights lawsuit in July against the city, Chauvin and three other fired officers charged in his death. AdIt wasn't immediately clear how the settlement might affect the trial or the jury now being seated to hear it.