by Jonathan P-Wright | Apr 21, 2021 | Editorial Pick, Latest, Social Justice, Trending |
Following three weeks of testimony, a jury in Minneapolis, Minnesota, reported Derek Chauvin liable of all charges in the murder of George Floyd on Tuesday (April 20).
After approximately a day of deliberation, the jury — comprised of six white people, four black people, and two multiracial people — announced the verdict. The former officer has been found guilty of unintentional second-degree murder, third-degree murder, and second-degree manslaughter.
Following a few delays, including one caused by the settlement reached between Floyd’s family and the City of Minneapolis, the jury was handpicked. The former cop’s murder trial began in late March.
Prosecutors produced evidence and called 38 witnesses to testify in the weeks that followed, along with the young woman who recorded Floyd’s tragic arrest. They contended that Floyd died of asphyxia (lack of oxygen) after the former officer placed his knee on Floyd’s neck for nine minutes and 29 seconds, choosing to ignore his cries for help and the demands of bystanders to release him.
On the other hand, Chauvin and his defense team called seven witnesses, including medical experts, to establish that Floyd died as a result of a pre-existing heart condition, adrenaline, and ingestion of a fentanyl and methamphetamine mixture. They introduced that his exposure to carbon monoxide could have been a factor as well.
Floyd was arrested outside a Cup Foods convenience store in May 2020 for purportedly purchasing cigarettes with a counterfeit bill. His experience with Chauvin and responding officers culminated in his heinous assault and murder, which were both managed to capture in now-viral videos of his death. The officer’s killing sparked worldwide protests and calls for Chauvin’s prosecution.
Following today’s (April 20) verdict, Thomas Lane, J. Kueng, and Tou Thao, the other officers present during Floyd’s shooting, will appear before a judge as co-defendants in their August joint trial. They are being charged with assisting and abetting.
This article was penned by Jonathan P. Wright. You can read more of Jonathan P. Wright’s work in the Editorial Picks section.
by Jonathan P-Wright | Aug 25, 2020 | Worldwide News |
The appointed judge requested the release on Friday (Aug. 7). On Friday (Aug. 7), a judge requested that body camera recordings from two cops associated with George Floyd’s capture be discharged publicly.
by Jonathan P-Wright | Jul 23, 2020 | Worldwide News |
Right around 200 officials have applied to leave the Minneapolis Police Department. It’s been right around two months since George Floyd was killed on account of four Minneapolis cops. As indicated by The New York Times, the office has since seen a flood in officers leaving their jobs.
by Fabiola Noel | Feb 1, 2023 | Latest, Social Justice |
On January 7th, Tyre Nichols’ mother Row Vaughn Wells’ life was shattered when her son was brutally beaten by five cops right outside of her Memphis home. As the details of the incident came to light, she soon realized that what she had been told about the extent of his injuries did not match up with reality. In this article, we’ll hear Row Vaughn as she recounts what happened and how she felt upon finding out the truth.
In the wake of George Floyd’s death, many have come forward with similar stories of police brutality and mistreatment. Tyre Nichols’ mother is one of them; she has claimed that she was misled about the extent of her son’s injuries after he was arrested and charged with disorderly conduct.
Tyre Nichols’ mother, Row Vaughn Wells, said that she was “shocked” when she saw her son’s injuries. “I just couldn’t believe it,” she said. “It just seemed like everything happened so fast.” Stephanie said that she has been struggling to cope with what happened to her son. “It’s hard to see him in pain and not be able to do anything about it,” she said. “I feel like I’m failing as a mother.”
The unfortunate experience of Tyre Nichols and his mother has highlighted the importance of being completely informed about the extent of injuries a person might sustain in an accident. The fact that Tyre’s mother was not aware of her son’s full injury report until after he had passed away is heart-breaking, and serves as a reminder to all medical professionals to keep family members adequately informed when dealing with such traumatic cases. We hope that this story will raise awareness among doctors and give solace to those who have experienced similar situations.
by Jonathan P-Wright | Apr 21, 2021 | Editorial Pick, Latest, Social Justice, Trending |
United States Attorney General Merrick Garland released a Statement saying (April 21) that the Justice Department has started an investigation into the Minneapolis Police Department’s “pattern or practice.” According to Garland, the investigation will ascertain whether the department has a pattern or practice of discriminatory policing.
The statement came one day after former Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin was convicted of George Floyd’s violent killing.
“Today, I am announcing that the Justice Department has launched a civil investigation into the Minneapolis Police Department to ascertain whether it engages in a pattern or practice of unconstitutional, unlawful policing,” Garland said Wednesday.
The investigation will now be spurred by “knowledgeable attorneys” from the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division and the United States Attorney’s Office for the District of Minnesota, Garland clarified.
“The new civil investigation is distinct from and independent of the Justice Department’s originally scheduled federal criminal investigation into George Floyd’s death,” he added.
Together with the criminal investigation, Garland stated that the Justice Department “also has the authority to file a civil lawsuit.”
“Typically, when the Justice Department identifies illegal practices or patterns of conduct, the local police department enters into a proposed settlement or consent decree to guarantee that quick and appropriate action is taken to bring policing practices into compliance with the law,” he added.
Numerous representatives of the Minneapolis Police Department, both active and retired, testified against Chauvin during his trial, including Police Lt. Richard Zimmerman, Chief Medaria Arradondo, a use-of-force trainer, and a former sergeant. Arradondo stated last year that Floyd’s murder was not the result of a “lack of training.”
“Mr. George Floyd’s tragic demise was not the result of a lack of training; the training was present. Chauvin was aware of his actions,” he stated. “The officers were aware of what was occurring; one purposefully caused it, while the others failed to prevent it.”
This article was penned by Jonathan P. Wright. You can read more of Jonathan P. Wright’s work in the Editorial Picks section.
RECENT COMMENTS