MINNEAPOLIS — Jurors in the murder trial of ex-cop Derek Chauvin for the death of George Floyd began deliberating on Monday — as the city sits on edge awaiting the verdict and possible violence.
Chauvin, 45, faces murder and manslaughter charges in Floyd’s police custody death on May 25. He faces up to 40 years in prison if convicted.
The 12-person jury includes six people who are white, four who are black and two who are multiracial. Seven jurors are women and five are men.
Before jury began deliberations, prosecutor Jerry Blackwell had the final word — pushing back against the defense’s claims that Floyd may have died in part because he has heart issues.
“Mr. Floyd died because his heart was too big. You heard that testimony. And now have seen all of the evidence and heard all of the evidence, you know the truth,” Blackwell said. “And the truth of the matter is, that the reason George Floyd is dead, is because Mr. Chauvin’s heart was too small.”
In this May 25, 2020 file image from Minneapolis city surveillance video, Minneapolis police are seen attempting to take George Floyd into custody. APIn a briefing Monday, Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz asked for additional law enforcement personnel in advance of the verdict.
“His fate will be decided by the jury,” Walz said of Chauvin. “We’ll decide our fate in this state.”
“We must acknowledge two truths,” the governor added. “We cannot allow civil unrest to descend into chaos. We must protect life and property.”
“But we also must understand very clearly, if we don’t listen to those communities in pain and on the streets…. we will be right back here again,” he said.
Some 3,000 National Guard troops are in the city to beef up police presence in the Minnesota city, while business owners in the heart of the city have boarded up windows in anticipation of unrest when the verdict comes. City public schools have also cancelled in-person learning starting Wednesday over the verdict.
“It’s scary,” Minneapolis student Jenea Hayes, 19 told The Post Monday. “I don’t know who is a good cop or bad cop.”
“I just want the protests to be peaceful,” Hayes said. “I don’t want violence. I’m scared.”
At 8 p.m. local time the jury adjourned deliberations for the day and will reconvene on Tuesday.
