Photo: Scott Olson / Getty Images
Tension increases in the United States due to awaiting the final verdict on the trial against former police officer Derek Chauvin, accused of killing the African American by suffocation George Floyd .
Outside the courthouse in Minneapolis Minnesota, where the trial against former police officer Chauvin is taking place, is besieged by elements of the National Guard and other security elements while hundreds of people carry out various activities awaiting the final verdict.
The US authorities remain on alert for fear that the tension of the court will be transferred to the streets of Minneapolis and several cities in the country.
The White House spokeswoman, Jen Psaki, confirmed at a press conference that the federal government is in contact with mayors and governors to deal with what I can to happen once the failure in the George Floyd case is known.
Jen Psaki said the goal is to ensure that there is room for peaceful protests as well as being ready to face an eventual wave of protests.
“This country has gone through a long period, especially for the black community, of pain and exhaustion”, not only because of this trial but also because of the “additional violence” registered in recent weeks, said the spokeswoman.
Deliberation begins in trial by Derek Chauvin
The ex-cop accused of killing the African American # GeorgeFloyd will receive the sentence this Monday. The National Guard guard the streets of Minneapolis to prevent possible riots.
DWNnews / mgp pic.twitter.com/SYl35 hhpep
– DW Spanish (@dw_espanol) April 20, 2021
The charges and defense of Derek Chauvin
Former police officer Derek Chauvin faces three charges : murder in the second degree, punishable by up to 40 years in prison; murder in the third degree, with a maximum sentence of 25 years, and second degree wrongful death, which carries up to 10 years of deprivation of liberty.
Chauvin’s defense attorney, Eric Nelson, attacked the Prosecutor’s Office and assured that it failed to prove the guilt of the former police officer.
In his turn before the members of the jury, Nelson recalled the presumption of innocence of his client and pointed out that the work of the Minnesota Prosecutor’s Office is to prove “that he is guilty beyond a reasonable doubt” and “not has achieved. ”
The lawyer asked the jury to consider the information they received Derek Chauvin before arriving on the scene and wondering how a “reasonable cop” should react.
In addition, he explained that the maneuver used by Chauvin “is not a movement to unauthorized ”, so the ex-agent fulfilled his duty given the situation.
These statements by Derek Chauvin’s lawyer arise after the state prosecutor Minnesota’s Steve Schleicher clarified that being a cop is “a noble profession,” but that Chauvin “betrayed his badge and everything it stood for” when he pressed Floyd’s neck with his knee for nine minutes and 29 seconds.
After showing several images and videos of moments of the incident, the prosecutor stressed that the way in which Chauvin acted “ It is not the way the police are trained, following the rules ”.
Steve Schleicher, Minnesota Attorney: “The George Floyd’s last words were: ‘Please, I can’t breathe.’ He asked for help with his last breath. The police officer did not help, he stayed on top of him, clasping his knees ” # DerekChauvin pic.twitter.com/6IWpzK1dJ8
– Rafael García López 💻📺 ( @RafaelGarciaLAF) April , 2021
“ The accused is being tried not for who he was, but for what he did , ”he said, staring at the jurors.
For the prosecutor, the “key” to this case is found in the video that went around the world in May last year.
👉 Minneapolis and several cities in the United States redoubled, this Monday, his security measures, pending the verdict in the George Floyd death trial. Informs @ ArnaldoRojasTV , from the Voice of America, in Houston. pic.twitter.com/wf6o3KgGtu
– Voice of America (@VozdeAmerica) April 25, 2021
With information from EFE.
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