Dallas (1080 KRLD)- Dallas police have been on standby for demonstrations as the trial of former Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin winds down. Sources tell KRLD news that the department has had a plan in place since the jury selection in the trial began.
Chauvin is on trial for 2nd-degree murder, 3rd-degree murder and 2nd-degree manslaughter in Hennepin County, MN for the death of George Floyd. Closing arguments began this morning. The jury will have a wide berth to conduct deliberations. If there is a guilty verdict on any of the charges, the sentencing will not happen immediately.
Unlike Texas, Minnesota law puts the burden of sentencing on the trial judge, who will order a presentence investigation and set the sentencing for a later date.
Floyd’s death caused widespread demonstrations and violence across the nation last spring. Demonstrations in Dallas led to damage to downtown and Deep Ellum businesses. At one stage, protesters were trapped by police on the Margaret Hunt Hill Bridge where there were mass arrests. Charges were later dropped by the Dallas County District Attorney’s office.
Other demonstrations were largely peaceful as protesters held rallies outside the Jack Evans Police Headquarters, Dallas City Hall and in streets in downtown Dallas.
Police have drafted plans specifically for demonstrations connected to the Chauvin trial, the sources say the plans have been in place since jury selection started.
While some businesses in the Central District and Deep Ellum boarded up windows last year, to date there have not been any preemptive measures that police are aware of.