Derek Chauvin Case: Lead Prosecutor Admits To Feeling Bad For Ex-Cop

BY Erika Marie 3.9K Views
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George Floyd, Derek Chauvin, Keith Ellison, Trial, Prosecutors, Murder, 60 Minutes
He expresses sympathy for "the defendant" & says of the sentencing phase, "It's important for us to act justly not vindictively."

The guilty verdict has been handed down in Derek Chauvin's murder case and now the public awaits his sentencing. The world will have to wait until June 16 to learn Chauvin's prison fate, but the lead prosecutor in his case is hoping that the disgraced officer doesn't receive a sentence that doesn't fit his charges. Minnesota Attorney-General Keith Ellison recently sat down with 60 Minutes to discuss the murder of Geroge Floyd and the subsequent trial against former officer Chauvin. 

During the conversation, Ellison shared that he is grateful for how things turned out but showed sympathy for Chauvin.

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He was asked what his first thoughts were when he learned of the verdict. "Gratitude. Humility followed by a certain sense of, I'll say, satisfaction," he said. "I spent sixteen years as a criminal defense lawyer, so I will admit I felt a little bad for the defendant. I think he deserved to be convicted, but he's a human being."

The host was surprised to hear "a note of compassion" from Ellison for Chauvin. "I'm not in any way wavering from my responsibility, but I hope we never forget that people who are defendants in our criminal justice system, that they're human beings. They're people. I mean, George Floyd was a human being."

In a separate interview with TODAY, Ellison stated, "It is important for us to act justly not vindictively," when speaking about Chauvin's sentencing. Ellison expressed that he hoped the judge wouldn't hand down a heavy sentence that didn't match the conviction in order to make an example out of Chauvin.

Watch the feature from 60 Minutes as well as the interview with TODAY below.


About The Author
Since 2019, Erika Marie has worked as a journalist for HotNewHipHop, covering music, film, television, art, fashion, politics, and all things regarding entertainment. With 20 years in the industry under her belt, Erika Marie moved from a writer on the graveyard shift at HNHH to becoming a Features Editor, highlighting long-form content and interviews with some of Hip Hop’s biggest stars. She has had the pleasure of sitting down with artists and personalities like DJ Jazzy Jeff, Salt ’N Pepa, Nick Cannon, Rah Digga, Rakim, Rapsody, Ari Lennox, Jacquees, Roxanne Shante, Yo-Yo, Sean Paul, Raven Symoné, Queen Naija, Ryan Destiny, DreamDoll, DaniLeigh, Sean Kingston, Reginae Carter, Jason Lee, Kamaiyah, Rome Flynn, Zonnique, Fantasia, and Just Blaze—just to name a few. In addition to one-on-one chats with influential public figures, Erika Marie also covers content connected to the culture. She’s attended and covered the BET Awards as well as private listening parties, the Rolling Loud festival, and other events that emphasize established and rising talents. Detroit-born and Long Beach (CA)-raised, Erika Marie has eclectic music taste that often helps direct the interests she focuses on here at HNHH. She finds it necessary to report on cultural conversations with respect and honor those on the mic and the hardworking teams that help get them there. Moreover, as an advocate for women, Erika Marie pays particular attention to the impact of femcees. She sits down with rising rappers for HNHH—like Big Jade, Kali, Rubi Rose, Armani Caesar, Amy Luciani, and Omerettà—to gain their perspectives on a fast-paced industry.