MINNEAPOLIS — Prosecutors within the case towards the 4 Minneapolis officers charged within the demise of George Floyd requested that the trial delayed by three months.
The Star Tribune reported prosecutors cited the COVID-19 pandemic and the period of time wanted earlier than sufficient persons are vaccinated and well being dangers are sufficiently diminished.
The trial has been scheduled for March 8 for the 4 now-fired law enforcement officials charged within the demise of Floyd on Might 25 whereas he was forcibly detained on a south Minneapolis road nook.
In its movement, the prosecution argued that laying aside the trial till June 7 “appropriately balances the necessity to shield public well being with the necessity to make sure that this case is resolved expeditiously.”
Derek Chauvin, Tou Thao, J. Alexander Kueng and Thomas Lane are scheduled to be tried collectively. Chauvin is charged with second-degree homicide and manslaughter, and the others are charged with aiding and abetting homicide and manslaughter.
Chauvin’s legal professional, Eric Nelson, stated he would not intend to object to the prosecution searching for a delay within the trial.
Kueng’s legal professional, Thomas Plunkett, stated the prosecution’s movement pointing to COVID-19 is puzzling.
“The timing of their movement appears curious to me,” Plunkett stated. “The pandemic has been round for some time.”
Thao’s lawyer, Robert Paule, didn’t instantly reply to a request for remark.