After Friday’s announcement for a record 27-million dollar settlement between the city of Minneapolis and the family of George Floyd, Judge Peter Cahill overseeing the Derek Chauvin murder trial says he will take the motion for a continuation and change of venue under advisement.
The settlement was unusual for its sum and for its timing in the first week of jury selection.
Defense attorney Eric Nelson argued for a change of venue and a delay, calling the news “highly prejudicial” and saying the team was “gravely concerned.”
"The court is not inclined to continue or change venue and we can address these again further I think there are things that the court must do, which includes calling back the seven jurors that are currently seated on this case and enquiring. I think there needs to be a specific inquiry. As to this settlement."
Cahill said he would call the 7 seated jurors back to see if they saw the news and if it would affect their impartiality, though jurors are instructed to not consume any news about the trial.
Cahill said he wished city officials would stop discussing the case, but did not see any “evil” intent in the timing.
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