Can Chauvin Get his Convictions Tossed on Appeal?

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — The unique circumstances surrounding Derek Chauvin’s trial in George Floyd’s death could offer the former Minneapolis police officer some shot at winning a retrial on appeal, though most legal experts agree it’s a long shot.

Chauvin, who is white, kneeled on Floyd’s neck for nearly 9 1/2 minutes last May, killing the 46-year-old Black man and sparking some of the largest protests in U.S. history. His conviction was seen by many across the country as a civil-rights milestone.

The defense has said it was impossible for Chauvin to get a fair trial in the city because of pretrial publicity and community pressure on jurors to convict.

That claim is sure to underpin any appeal.