Bobby Burack
Videos by OutKick
Some have speculated throughout the week that former Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin would testify at his trial. Thursday morning, Chauvin instead invoked his Fifth Amendment right to remain silent.
Here was Chauvin’s exchange with defense attorney Eric Nelson:
Nelson: Have you made a decision today, whether you will attempt to testify, or whether you intend to invoke your Fifth Amendment right?
Chauvin: I will invoke my Fifth amendment privilege today.
The judge then asked Chauvin if the decision was his own, to which Chauvin said, “Yes.”
BREAKING: Derek Chauvin, ex-officer charged in the death of George Floyd, invokes the Fifth Amendment and will not testify at his murder trial. https://t.co/SvIzXvsYzo pic.twitter.com/Bif22aQVDC
— ABC News (@ABC) April 15, 2021
The defense indicated it was prepared to call another witness on Thursday, but now is expected to rest its case, according to CNN.
Judge Peter A. Cahill said the court could end up taking Friday off.
Chauvin, 45, has pleaded not guilty to second-degree unintentional murder, and second-degree manslaughter, and third-degree murder charges. The latter of which — depraved-heart murder — has been criticized by some, notably Ben Shapiro, as not fitting Chauvin’s actions.
I was wondering if the Defense would just rest. The Prosecution did a great job in ensuring an “L”. Now, it’s up to the jury. (Prediction: Hung jury. Re-Trial in another venue…)
Wonder if it will be moved to a venue with a non-corrupt far left partisan judge this time?
Perfectly his right and they should have changed the venue
Why oh why do so many people believe it is sinister to not testify against oneself?
Also, always smile for your mugshot.
This is going to be Minny’s version of Rodney King.
Although I’m thinking the burning down part is going to be much greater than what happened in LA.
Conviction or not, Minneapolis is going to burn 🙁
The Defense has clearly won the case, especially give the Reasonable Doubt standard. The State’s use-of-force experts have contradicted each other. I think really only public pressure is how the State can win or get a hung jury.
It’s not a “privilege.” It is your right that you have all of the time.
Kind of like the right to vote the blacks have with the 15th ammendment but white liberals still think Georgia has a racist voting law.
I haven’t been following the trial too closely but it seems like most of you feel that Chauvin will be found not guilty. Which is not the perception I get when I see headlines and go to social media. I agree that no matter the verdict it’s not going to be pretty in Minnesota.
I don’t know if he’ll be found guilty or innocent…all I know is people in Minneapolis better have their burn, loot, murder insurance ready.
If he’s found guilty the charge will not satisfy the loot & burn crowd. If he’s found not guilty last year’s destruction will look like an opening act before the main event. A storm is coming either way.
Sadly, I’m afraid you are 💯 accurate about all of this Steve.
At the end of the day, Floyd was in Chauvin et al’s custody and they were responsible for his safety. Its never a good idea to keep someone face down for more than a couple of minutes due to the risk of positional asphyxia. Still, none of these charges fit. Mr. Floyd’s ingestion of narcotics caused his death, but the fact Chauvin did not take adequate measures to try and ensure his safety means he should have been disciplined- possibly fired, but these criminal charges don’t line up with the alleged crime.