Jury selection begins for the trial of former Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin accused of killing George Floyd

The trial of Derek Chauvin, the former Minneapolis police officer accused of killing George Floyd, begins Monday with jury selection. Chauvin has been charged with second-degree murder and manslaughter.

Prosecutors Matthew Frank have filed repeated efforts to delay the start of the Derek Chauvin trial, they are currently trying to delay jury selection pending the outcome of the appeal on the MN third degree murder issue to the state Supreme Court. The defense doesn’t want a delay.

Earlier today, the Judge ruled that jury selection has nothing to do with the 3rd degree appeal, so selecting a jury will proceed. Court was in recess until 9A.M., prosecutors could file a writ of prohibition to stop things, but our legal expert tells me that would be extremely unusual.

Judge Peter Cahill rules that jury selection will go forward in the Derek Chauvin trial.

This is despite a pending petition to the MN Supreme Court over whether to add a third-degree murder charge against Chauvin for the killing of George Floyd. pic.twitter.com/NCQttRCOzy

— The Recount (@therecount) March 8, 2021

Protesters have are gathered outside a Minneapolis courthouse where a jury selection is underway for the trial of Derek Chauvin.

Rally for Justice: The People vs Derek Chauvin protest https://t.co/on64laT9YD

— UNICORN RIOT (@UR_Ninja) March 8, 2021

Chauvin faces 40 years in prison for killing George Floyd if convicted.