DEREK Chauvin and the three other George Floyd cops appeared in court today over the shocking killing.
The court appearances came a little more than a month after Floyd, a 46-year-old Black man, died on May 25 when Minnesota cop Chauvin kneeled on his neck during an arrest.
Chauvin, charged with second-degree murder and manslaughter, appeared in Minneapolis court via video, CNN reported.
The other three officers – J. Alexander Kueng, Thomas Lane, and Tou Thao – appeared in person.
The other three ex-cops are all charged with aiding and abetting second-degree murder and aiding and abetting second-degree manslaughter.
Cameras were not allowed in the court on Monday, when the former officers are set to appear midday, CNN reported.
At the hearings, Thomas Plunkett, Kueng’s lawyer, filed a motion asking for the judge to reconsider allowing cameras to be used, KARE reported.
A motion said: “Cameras are essential so that the public can see the impact of the state’s statements on the proceedings and to insure confidence in the results.”
“This case is a very important case for the State of Minnesota and the rest of the country. The impact of this case has been felt worldwide,” the motion continued.
Prosecutors, however, have said they are opposed to the use of cameras being used in court preconviction, KARE reported.
“I believe cameras in the courtroom will create more problems than it will solve,” Attorney General Keith Ellison said in a statement.
He added that cameras “could alter the way lawyers present evidence” and that they “may be intimidating to witnesses and impair their ability and willingness to testify.”
Judge Peter Cahill set the next hearing for September 11, CNN reported.
Trials are aimed to begin March 8, 2021.
Kneung and Lane both posted $750,000 bail, and were released from jail.
Lane was released from prison on June 10, and Kueng was released on June 19.
Jail records still showed Thao and Chauvin were in jail as of Monday.
All four officers face a sentence of up to 50 years in prison.
Chauvin was reportedly in talks to plead guilty before his arrest.
Public outrage was sparked following Floyd’s death.
Video showed Chauvin kneeling on Floyd’s neck for nearly nine minutes.
Floyd could be heard saying “I can’t breathe” multiple times – but the cop did not move his knee.
Lane’s lawyer has insisted that the ex-cop is innocent and body camera footage will clear him of the charges.
Demonstrators across the nation have shown support for the Black Lives Matter movement, as they call for an end to systemic racism and police brutality.
Many demonstrators have called for defunding of the cops.
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Protestors have favored funding going away from police, and putting the money into more community-based programs.
Minneapolis City Council already voted unanimously to disband the city’s police department.
Several other cities across the nation have voted to make cuts to police budgets.