MEMPHIS, Tennessee — Not to sound overly dramatic, but this is the most crucial week for justice perhaps in American history. The Derek Chauvin murder trial is nearing an end, and all of America – indeed much of the world – is awaiting the verdict – which should come this week. Let’s be clear, much more than Chauvin is on trial. The criminal justice system itself – and its ability to be fair to every citizen – also is on trial. If you have been paying attention, you know that the testimony has been heart wrenching. Witness after witness came forward to explain their horror at watching Chauvin, a former Minneapolis police officer, choke the life out of George Floyd – by keeping his knee on Floyd’s neck for more than nine minutes. Plus, the expert medical testimony was virtually in agreement that Chauvin’s actions were the primary cause of Floyd’s death.
The defense, in my view, was at best. While you can never predict what a jury of 12 people might do, there is no doubt – at least in my mind – that Chauvin is guilty as charged, and yet, no matter the outcome, we cannot allow our emotions to get out of hand. Floyd’s death last May sparked daily protests in Memphis and across the country. It also sparked a reckoning on race. Now that reckoning is in the hands of a jury, and the world is watching.
And that’s my point of view. I’m Otis Sanford for Local 24 News.