I don't seem to have much to say about the verdict in the Derek Chauvin trial that others aren't saying. Viewed from afar as most of us viewed it, it seemed like an open-and-shut case of police wrongdoing…and it's nice to see one of those not go the cop's way for a change. I saw someone on CNN (I think it was) say that police would be outraged at the jury's actions. I think they should be outraged at the crime.
Naturally, I'm curious as to how long ex-officer Chauvin will serve…and where he'll serve it. I'd really love to know what he was thinking as that verdict was read. We could only see his eyes but they looked like they were saying, "Yeah, just about what I expected." What I saw of the closing argument from The Defense looked to me like the attorney was just going through the motions, already resigned to the outcome.
And I wonder how the jury's ten hours of deliberations went. Were there ever any votes to let Chauvin walk out of there a free man? Or did they spend the the time reviewing the case carefully and then debating which of the three counts applied?
Here's a solid explainer about today's verdict. It doesn't answer any of my questions but it will remind you what today was all about. It's about all that and working towards a justice system that doesn't treat minorities as guilty until proven innocent.