Anyone Been Watching The Derek Chauvin Trial?

[Spicerack]

I presume we're allowed to talk about it as it's all live-streamed on US tv.

[pixie374]

Zacs- that this is not a choice of one v the other. Floyd is dead, gone.
The question now, is what you think of Chauvin's behaviour- and if he is also the kind of person you would trust. You don't need to choose between them, it's pointless.
You can have independent views on each. And much as I'm not sure Floyd was a great citizen (although, honestly would prefer him as a next door neighbour), the current question is- is Chauvin a decent, reliable individual. From what I have seen so far, I would have to say no.

[andy-hughes]

Spicerack - // Rightly or wrongly it's inevitable that George's previous actions will come under scrutiny both here and at the trial. Rightly imo. //

I would have no objection whatever to Mr Floyd's previous actions being discussed at trial, any more than I would object to Mr Chauvin's previous actions being similarly debated.

Where I draw the line is where people start to adopt the premise that because Mr Floyd was a criminal, his life matters less, his loss is less important, or that he got what he deserved.

None of those views belong in a civilsed society, becuase it prevents society, represented by the court, from adopting a position of moral responsibility.

[pixie374]

//As he is the reason Chauvin is on trial//

No. Chauvin is the reason he is on trial. That's how it works...

[pixie374]

Just read back, sorry guys. My view is that neither Floyd or Chauvin are necessarily useful members of society. But at least Floyd knew, realised and paid for it. Chauvin, genuinely has the arrogance to believe he did the right thing. That really is frightening.

[pixie374]

//Rightly or wrongly it's inevitable that George's previous actions will come under scrutiny both here and at the trial. Rightly imo. //

Wrongly. You are either suggesting Chauvin knew, and carried out a personal assassination, or that he didn't, and thought he was killing an innocent person.
In either case, not his choice or decision to make.

[Zacs-Master]

Maybe he didn't think he was killing anyone? You're acting as Judge and Jury there, Pixie.

[Spicerack]

I'll be mighty surprised if Chauvin doesn't express regret at what happened.

[andy-hughes]

Spicerack - // I'll be mighty surprised if Chauvin doesn't express regret at what happened. //

I think we can take that as a given don't you?

He's hardly likely to convince a jury that he did not intend Mr Floyd's death if he says anything different - is he?

He may well regret it, we will never know, but he would be a fool not to say so, he needs all the empathy he can get.

[Spicerack]

Why were you introducing Chauvin's alleged previous actions, pixie?
We're not supposed to 'pick a side' and then continually put our fingers on the scales of justice.

[pixie374]

Spice, whatever we are "meant" to do- thankfully, I am not judge or jury, so can just say what I honestly see. Chauvin has already had several complaints against him for brutality and violence. If that is the kind of character you would choose to be a police officer- good luck to you. I think we can do better.

[pixie374]

Zacs, we have been through that. I don't know if he was just nasty or illegally stupid.

[Spicerack]

Yes, Andy. I was replying to this from Pixie;
// Chauvin, genuinely has the arrogance to believe he did the right thing. That really is frightening.//

Should have been clearer.

[Spicerack]

But you keep saying that George's past actions aren't relevant.

[Zacs-Master]

We haven't been through that at all, Pixie. You categorically stated that you thought Spicerack's comments implied that Chauvin was killing him for one reason or another. There was no suggestion that it might have been accidental.

[naomi24]

‘.... Because Floyd was a criminal
his life matters less’

It does to me.

[burlyshirley]

Me too.

[pixie374]

Zacs, the entire world has seen the video. We know it wasn't accidental. Even if it was, I covered that, with "sheer stupidity".
Seriously, are you happy with a police officer working, who is literally too thick to understand he is killing someone? And that is the kindest interpretation.

[Untitled]

Why should Floyd's life matter less because he was a criminal? He did the time for his crimes and expressed remorse for them... and attempted to persuade others not to do as he had done. ... Is it really more acceptable to kill someone unlikable than it is to kill someone nice? If you believe than then it makes a mockery of the justice system... whether or not George Floyd was good person is really not relevant to whether or not Chauvin committed a crime.... What matters is whether he intended to kill him and could reasonably have prevented it.

[Zacs-Master]

Wow. Might as well cancel the trial then, eh!

He deliberately knelt on his neck. Whether he did it with the intention of killing Floyd isn't yet decided.

[pixie374]

Surely anyone who believes Floyd is less important for committing crime- will also believe Chauvin is, if he has?