Derek Chauvin Files Appeal Over George Floyd Murder Conviction

MINNEAPOLIS — Former Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin filed an appeal over his conviction for the murder of George Floyd this week.

Chauvin was sentenced to 22½ years in prison in June 2021 following his conviction on charges of second and third-degree murder and second-degree manslaughter in the slaying of George Floyd in police custody in May 2020.

In an 82-page court filing Monday, Chauvin argued jurors were intimidated by the publicity of the case and by the protests it sparked. In the appeal, he is requesting either a reversal of his conviction, a reversal and remand for a new trial in a different location, or an order for resentencing.

"The overwhelming media coverage exposed the jurors—literally every day—to news demonizing Chauvin and glorifying Floyd which was more than sufficient to presume prejudice," the brief states.

"However, the real problem is the jurors expressed concern for (i) they and their families’ personal safety and (ii) riots breaking out in the event they acquitted Chauvin."

The brief also mentions how — during jury selection — Minneapolis officials finalized an agreement to pay Floyd's family $27 million in order to settle their claims against the city.

Chauvin's appeal comes one day after the Minnesota Department of Human Rights released its findings following a two-year investigation into the Minneapolis Police Department.

According to the report, the city of Minneapolis and the Minneapolis Police Department engaged "in a pattern or practice of race discrimination" in violation of the state law, an investigation by the Minnesota Department of Human Rights found.

Read more:

• MPLS Police Spied On, Posed As Black Activists: State Investigation
• What Is The 'Black Tax' In Minneapolis?