Derek Chauvin's Murder Conviction Upheld By MN Court Of Appeals

ST. PAUL, MN — The Minnesota Court of Appeals Monday unanimously upheld the murder and manslaughter convictions of former Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin in the death of George Floyd.

A Hennepin County jury found Chauvin guilty of second-degree unintentional murder and second-degree manslaughter in April 2021. He appealed the decision, and his case was argued in front of the state's Court of Appeals on Jan. 18.

"I am grateful for the decision of the Court of Appeals, and grateful we have a system where everyone, no matter how egregious their offense, is entitled to due process and fair treatment," said Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison.

"The Court’s decision today shows once again no one is above the law — and no one is beneath it. Today, my thoughts are today with the family of George Floyd and the communities that have suffered because of his death. We cannot bring Floyd back, but I hope today’s decision brings another measure of justice."

Special Assistant Attorney General Neal Katyal argued for the state. William F. Mohrman — of Mohrman, Kaardal & Erickson — argued for Chauvin.

Mohrman argued that Chauvin was not given a fair trial. He said the Hennepin County district court abused its discretion by denying Chauvin’s motions to change the venue and sequester the jury during the trial. Chauvin's legal team said the jury in his case were influenced by the riots and street violence that broke out in Minneapolis after Floyd's death.

However, the Court of Appeals found that Chauvin's legal team failed to show actual prejudice by the jury.

Read the full Court of Appeals decision here.

Chauvin and his ex-wife both recently pleaded guilty to state charges of tax fraud.