Reactions to the Chauvin Trial

As the Chauvin trial gets well into its second week, it is clear that the proseuction is making a strong case, and it would be tempting to be optimistic about a guilty verdict. However, I would caution all of my friends to not get your hopes up, because the defense has not yet presented its case. We should keep in mind that the officers who beat Rodney King within an inch of his life with their billy clubs were not convicted, so it seems doutful Chauvin will be.

One commentator expressed the opinion that most jurors make up their minds based on the opening statements of counsel. I would put the figure at closer to one-third, rather than most, but still a significant number. And another third makes up their minds based on whether they like or dislike the participants in the trial. The camera has not shown Chauvin, so I don't have an opinion about which direction this points to. If I could observe his demeanor, I think I could predict the outcome with a high degree of accuracy.

I will say that the video presented gives a very negative impression of Chauvin. He comes across as a cold, callous sociopath, who nonchalantly left his knee on the neck of Floyd for nine and a half minutes, even after Floyd had stopped resisting. It will be the job of the defendant's attorneys to humanize him, and present a reasonable explanation for his actions. If they can do so, the verdict will likely be not guilty. If not, we will likely see a hung jury.