It appears that significant civic response issues may be developing in the Minnesota murder trial of Minneapolis Police Officer Derek Chauvin, charged in the in-custody death of George Floyd.
From what I am seeing, as an untrained non-legal professional, the defense is adequately meeting the prosecution’s case-in-chief with skillful cross examination that contradicts prosecution’s theory of the case and continues to introduce significant doubt about the details of Chauvin’s actions.
However, it appears that the media is conditioning the domestic battlefield in Minneapolis and elsewhere by selectively reporting mainly on the case being presented by the prosecution and interpreting the information in a biased manner that appears to make Chauvin guilty of the improper use of force.
One-Sided Coverage by the Media?
What is not being fully covered is the cross-examination, which negates a portion of the prosecution’s presentation and introduces further doubt and inconsistencies.
Thus, one-sided coverage is likely to provoke a violent reaction from a crowd that may be pre-primed by professional activists and agitators toward a major riot. A civil disturbance may be used as a cover for arsonists and looters, while the police fail to take affirmative action.
Minneapolis Mayor Defends Stand-Down Order As Rioters Burn Police Precinct
Another night of rioting, looting and arson in Minneapolis and again Mayor Jacob Frey appeared before reporters completely clueless.
During an early morning press conference, Frey was grilled by reporters after multiple building in the city were set on-fire including a police precinct.
Frey told reporters “the symbolism of a building cannot outweigh the importance of life, of our officers, or the public. We could not risk serious injury to anyone and we will continue to patrol the 3rd precinct entirely, we will continue to do our jobs in that area, and you know, brick and mortar is not as important as life.”
A reporter pressed the mayor, asking him “what’s the plan here? What are we doing? Here in the streets, a lot of businesses have been burned down, a lot of livelihoods have been hurt, we’ve seen very little police out there just in general, at the 3rd and throughout and I’m just wondering what’s the plan and who’s in charge in this city.” <Source>
Bottom Line
This issue of media coverage is critical as any disturbance in Minneapolis is likely to be replicated elsewhere in Minnesota, and given the actions of violent radical activists and agitators such as Antifa and Black Lives Matter, spread across the country.
While we will have to wait and see how the media covers the defense, it would be prudent to prepare for civil unrest, including possible curfews and other restrictions. Some areas may find that their local stores are closed, some having been burned, looted, or simply boarded up.
Beyond the necessities, and knowing that law enforcement officers may not offer suitable protection before, during, or after an event, you may wish to develop your own use-of-force scenario if you or your family are threatened. You may want to consider an arsonist an existential threat and shoot to kill if you have limited or blocked egress.
Be well, be safe, and be prepared.
— Steve
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