Today was the first in-person hearing for former Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin in the George Floyd case and there were definitely some unexpected moments during the event.

The presiding Judge Peter Cahill made some rather surprising moves during the hearing, such as denying any requests that day for dismissals but following that by stating legal teams should not “read anything into that,” suggesting dismissal of charges are still possible.

“Judge in GeorgeFloyd case says he will not consider probable cause motions today which means he won’t be deciding motions to dismiss these cases but the Judge also said “don’t read anything into that” “@wcco
will update”

Judge in GeorgeFloyd case says he will not consider probable cause motions today which means he won’t be deciding motions to dismiss these cases but the Judge also said “don’t read anything into that” “@wcco will update

— esme murphy (@esmemurphy) September 11, 2020

Judge Cahill then dismissed Hennepin County Attorney’s office, including Mike Freeman, calling their actions “sloppy.”

Judge just disqualified members of the Hennepin County Attorney’s office, including Hennepin County Attorney MIke Freeman from the case – they could be witnesses – calls their actions “sloppy”

Judge just disqualified members of the Hennepin County Attorney’s office, including Hennepin County Attorney MIke Freeman from the case – they could be witnesses – calls their actions “sloppy”

— esme murphy (@esmemurphy) September 11, 2020

Then Judge Cahill made a statement that’s bound to ruffle many feathers when he said that “a pill was visible” in George Floyd’s mouth in Officer Thomas Lane’s body camera footage.

“Judge Cahill says ‘a pill was visible’ in #GeorgeFloyd mouth in Thomas Lane body camera footage”

Judge Cahill says “a pill was visible “ in #GeorgeFloyd mouth in Thomas Lane body camera footage

— esme murphy (@esmemurphy) September 11, 2020

That’s going to definitely be a hard pill for many to swallow.

All four attorneys for the officers charged in the case have also requested records of a 2019 incident where Floyd allegedly took drugs during an encounter with police.

Defense Attorney Plunkett also wants records of a May 2019 incident in which Plunkett alleges #GeorgeFloyd took drugs during an encounter with police, Defense of all 4 former officers claims Floyd swallowed fentanyl during the fatal encounter

— esme murphy (@esmemurphy) September 11, 2020

All in all, this hearing had many moments that indicate a bad start for the prosecution, although the defense certainly received some pushback as well, specifically when they tried to raise the issue of Floyd’s criminal past.

Judge Cahill raising his voice saying “What is the relevance ?“ of records linking #GeorgeFloyd to a much earlier robbery case, Defense Attny. Plunkett wants records admitted

— esme murphy (@esmemurphy) September 11, 2020

It’ll be interesting to see how things develop in the coming weeks in this case.

But we all know that if the case doesn’t render a verdict the public will be happy with, then more and more riots will erupt.

This piece was written by Sophie O’Hara on September 11, 2020. It originally appeared in WayneDupree.com and is used by permission.

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