Derek Chauvin, the former Minneapolis police officer, found guilty of murdering George Floyd, has appealed his murder conviction.
Chauvin was convicted in April of second-degree unintentional murder, third-degree murder and second-degree manslaughter in Floyd’s death. He was sentenced to 22-and-a-half years in prison.
Chauvin waited until Thursday night to file the appeal with the Minnesota state appellate– the last day he was able to do so.
Chauvin is accusing state prosecutors of “prejudicial prosecutorial misconduct.” He alleges the court “abused its discretion” by denying his request to change the trial venue and allow Morries Hall, who was with Floyd on the day of this death, not to testify. In his list of 14 complaints, Chauvin also raises the court’s “alleged failure in allowing the defense to strike “clearly biased jurors during voir dire (jury selection).”
Judge Peter Cahill granted Chauvin “pauper status,” meaning he won’t have to pay court and filing fees. He claims he was denied a public defender.
Chauvin, who is white, knelt on the neck of Floyd, who was Black, for 9 minutes and 29 seconds until he lost consciousness.
Fellow officers J. Alexander Kueng and Thomas Lane helped to restrain Floyd. Kueng is seen kneeling on Floyd’s back. Lane is seen in the video footage holding Floyd’s legs. Tou Thao holds back bystanders at the scene to prevent them from intervening.
Kueng, Lane and Thao’s joint trial is slated to begin in March. All three men also pleaded not guilty to aiding and abetting second-degree murder and manslaughter.
