What to expect: Major pre-trial hearing for 4 fired officers in George Floyd case
What to expect: Motion hearing for fired Minneapolis officers in Floyd case
All four former Minneapolis police officers charged in connection to the death of George Floyd will be in Hennepin County District Court Friday for a motion hearing in the case.
MINNEAPOLIS (FOX 9) - All four former Minneapolis police officers charged in connection to the death of George Floyd will be in Hennepin County District Court Friday for a motion hearing in the case. This will be the first time Derek Chauvin appears in court in-person after making his previous appearances over a video feed from the Oak Park Heights prison.
The hearing, which starts at 9 a.m., will give the state and defense attorneys a chance to present oral arguments to Judge Peter Cahill about motions they have filed in the case. Among the key items on the agenda include the state's motion to join all four cases into one trial and the defense teams' motion to change the venue of the trial.
Watch live video from outside the courthouse, including arrivals of the defendants, at fox9.com/live
THE DEFENDANTS
- Derek Chauvin Charged with second-degree murder, third-degree murder, second-degree manslaughter
- Charged with second-degree murder, third-degree murder, second-degree manslaughter
- Tou Thao, J. Alexander Kueng and Thomas Lane All three are charged with aiding and abetting second-degree murder and aiding and abetting second-degree manslaughter
- All three are charged with aiding and abetting second-degree murder and aiding and abetting second-degree manslaughter
MOTION FOR JOINDER
On Aug. 12, prosecutors filed a motion to join the cases of the four Minneapolis police officers charged in the police killing of George Floyd. The move means there would be one trial for all the officers, rather than four separate trials. On Tuesday, attorneys representing Thomas Lane, Derek Chauvin, J. Alexander Kueng, Tou Thao all filed objections to joining the four cases.
According to court documents, the state believes the cases should be joined because the evidence will be similar and four separate trials could bring a burden on the court system and could impact the jury pools for the subsequent trials.
The defense teams, however, argue joining the trials could cause prejudice against their clients because of antagonistic defenses, meaning the defendants will likely point blame at one another.
MOTION TO CHANGE VENUE
All four defense teams have filed a motion to move the trial out of Hennepin County, claiming the jury pool will likely have been impacted by pre-trial media coverage, jeopardizing the chances for a fair trial.
Lane's attorney suggested the trial should be moved to Washington County or Dakota County. Thao's attorney recommended it should be held in St. Louis County, Clay County, or Crow Wing County. Kueng's lawyer suggested Stearns County. Chauvin's attorney asked that the trial be held outside of the Twin Cities area.
OTHER ITEMS
Judge Cahill will also hear the defense's motions to sequester the jury and make the jury members anonymous.
Finally, administrative matters will be addressed from COVID-19 restrictions to audio and visual coverage. To see the full agenda click here.
DECISIONS ON MOTIONS
While Judge Cahill could make a decision on some of the motions Friday, a legal expert says that may not happen because Cahill will have 90 days to make his decisions.
Watch: 33-foot vessel sinks off Florida Coast after being stuck on a sandbar
Flagler County Fire Rescue (FCFR) located the nearly half-submerged vessel and safely transported its solo occupant back to the dock.
33-foot vessel sinks off Florida Coast
A man was safely rescued late Thursday night after his 33-foot sailboat ran aground on a sandbar and began taking on water in Flagler County.
Orlando Weather Forecast: Weekend rain chances
Weather Friday night will be cloudy with a few showers, but not nearly as heavy as Thursday night. Temperatures rest in the 70s as temperatures are expected to heat up for the weekend. Beachgoers should expect rip current threats with two to four feet high.
75 lost sea turtles hatchlings rescued by Florida deputies
Volusia County deputies helped rescue 75 lost baby sea turtles. Sea turtle hatchlings use moonlight to guide themselves towards the ocean. However, artificial lighting can confuse their instincts, causing them to move inland toward roads instead of the ocean. Deputies helped collect the lost turtles and contacted Volusia County, who helped get them back to the ocean.
Beachgoers share concerns of AI cameras in Brevard County
Cameras at public beach access points in Melbourne Beach are facing new pushback. Beachgoers are worried about privacy and where the footage is going and being stored. The town says they’re installed to monitor rescue rings and prevent theft.
Volusia County debuts AI metal detectors in schools
Middle schools in Volusia County will screen students through AI metal detectors. While school officials say safety is their top priority, they say the metal detectors have been "well-received" by the community and families. With artificial intelligence, the device can detect the "difference between a water bottle a weapon," FOX 35's Chris Lindsay demonstrated.
Orlando weather: Steady breeze, clouds, showers across Central Florida
Weather Friday night will be cloudy with a few showers, but not nearly as heavy as Thursday night. Temperatures rest in the 70s as temperatures are expected to heat up for the weekend. Beachgoers should expect rip current threats with two to four feet high.
Palm Bay orders immediate suspension of FLOCK cameras
The city of Palm Bay is suspending its FLOCK cameras system after a city manager determined the cameras may not have been properly permitted. The system is not suspended pending the completion of the review.
Palm Bay suspends license plate cameras over permitting, installation concerns
The City of Palm Bay immediately suspended its license plate reader cameras – sometimes referred to as Flock cameras – following concerns that the cameras may have been installed without the proper city permits.
Dad of DeLand double homicide suspect arrested
Police have arrested the father of a 17-year-old accused of shooting and killing two teenagers in downtown DeLand. Daytron Etkins, 41, is accused of helping his son after the alleged shootings and "took steps intended to help him evade law enforcement," police said.