Former police officer Derek Chauvin is seeking a new trial after a jury last month found him guilty of second-degree unintentional murder, second-degree manslaughter and third-degree murder in connection with the death of George Floyd.
“The cumulative effect of the multiple errors in these proceedings deprived Mr. Chauvin of a fair trial, in violation of his constitutional rights,” the filing states.
The denial of a motion for a venue change was one of the various issues raised to argue for a new trial.
“The Court abused its discretion when it failed to sequester the jury for the duration of the trial, or in the least, admonish them to avoid all media, which resulted in jury exposure to prejudicial publicity regarding the trial during the proceedings, as well as jury intimidation and potential fear of retribution among jurors, which violated Mr. Chauvin’s constitutional rights to due process and to a fair trial,” the filing declares.
