U.S.

Chauvin Jury Gets Case After Emotional Closing Arguments

Reverend Al Sharpton, center, and Philonise Floyd, George Floyd's brother, second right, arrive at the Hennepin County Government Center in Minneapolis, Minnesota, on April 19. — Reverend Al Sharpton, center, and Philonise Floyd, George Floyd's brother, second right, arrive at the Hennepin County Government Center in Minneapolis, Minnesota, on April 19.
Photographer: Emilie Richardson/Bloomberg

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By Ayanna Alexander and Ian Lopez

April 19, 2021 at 3:52 PM UTC

Updated on

April 20, 2021 at 2:03 AM UTC

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The case of the former Minneapolis police officer accused of killing George Floyd went to the jury after Derek Chauvin’s defense attorney said the viral video of him kneeling on Floyd’s neck and back doesn’t tell the entire story.

Moments after jurors went into deliberation, defense attorney Eric Nelson pleaded with Judge Peter Cahill to declare a mistrial, pointing to the “public context” and “profound” media attention of the trial, including criticisms from Rep. Maxine Waters (D-Calif.) and television shows. Waters urged protesters to “get more confrontational” if Chauvin isn’t convicted, according to news reports.