Mike Freeman faces new challenge in case against former Minneapolis police officer

[USALiberal]

On Friday, Hennepin County Attorney Mike Freeman announced criminal charges against former Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin in the death of George Floyd

The 2019 conviction of former Minneapolis police officer Mohamed Noor of third-degree murder and second-degree manslaughter is believed to be the first time in state history that a police officer was convicted of murder for an on-duty killing.

On Friday, Hennepin County Attorney Mike Freeman announced filing the same charges against former Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin in the death of George Floyd.

In doing so, Freeman once again finds himself in the glare of the national spotlight as he attempts to succeed a second time at what has been an exceedingly rare result in Minnesota and across the country — convincing a jury to convict a police officer of murder.

Despite what the now-viral video shows — a seemingly nonchalant Chauvin’s knee pressing the neck of a clearly distressed Floyd for nearly nine minutes — local legal experts say convictions are far from ensured in cases where cops are charged with murder. Even when much of the public is convinced police were in the wrong, police officers have won acquittal.

From Freddie Gray’s 2015 death in Baltimore while in police custody to the 2016 shooting death of Philando Castile during a Falcon Heights traffic stop, cases that seem open and shut often are not.

In part, it’s because state law gives police wide latitude in using deadly force if they fear they or others will be seriously injured or killed.

While that seems unlikely from the video of Chauvin restraining Floyd, former Ramsey County Attorney Susan Gaertner said the fact remains that prosecutors must be painstakingly thorough.

More at https://www.startribune.com/mike-freeman-faces-new-challenge-in-case-against-derek-chauvin/570898612/

[Laelth]

1. Juries are notoriously pro-State.

It is exceedingly difficult to convict a cop who is on duty.

-Laelth

[USALiberal]

2. I agree, most people are raised to support police. nt

[empedocles]

3. Don't want this issue to be all Dems v. All Police.

I was on a jury in bad cop violence case against a republican local politician.

The bad cop caught on tape screaming against the 62 yr old, male victim. Violence alleged, probable - but not on tape, no smoking gun.
A female police captain testified against bad cop, as did credible expert testimony. Other police witnesses, formed a 'silent blue line'.
Two younger cops were slugs with stoney silence. One sergeant leaned against the bad cop, but very quiet.

Suburban jury had 1 outspoken, wealthy 60+ female who always found the police 'polite and helpful.' Common opinion, was since 9-'11 police need more leeway.

Victim lost.

[Point is, that not all police are violence prone. Silence likely, with awareness they can be attacked, sometimes expediently, from all different angles, including other officers, those in the department, prosecutors, and elected officials].

All Dems v all cops, puts Dems in a bad place.