Derek Chauvin’s legal team has filed a motion for a new trial this week, bringing into question the legitimacy and fairness of his April trial.

As Blavity previously reported, the former Minneapolis police officer was convicted last month of second-degree unintentional murder, second-degree manslaughter and third-degree murder in the death of George Floyd.

In four pages of court filings, attorney Eric Nelson detailed what he said was a number of mistakes made during the trial that violated Chauvin's constitutional rights to a due process and a fair trial, according to CNN. Nelson alleged that Hennepin Judge Peter Cahill committed prosecutorial misconduct, juror misconduct, witness intimidation and overlooked the impact of publicity of the case.

Attorney Joe Tamburino, who was not associated with either side in the Chauvin trial, said the odds of the former police officer being granted a new trial are dismal.

“It appears that when it comes to this alleged juror misconduct Derek Chauvin is asking for this verdict to be thrown out,” Tamburino said, according to CBS Minnesota. “Obviously the defense is under the gun, they have 14 days to do a motion for a new trial.”

Last week, prosecutor Jerry Blackwell told Rev. Al Sharpton that he viewed the composition of the jury as a “bouquet of humanity.” Blackwell shared that the prosecution’s argument was centered on the shared humanity we all share, including the bystanders who were prohibited from helping Floyd.

Prosecutor Jerry Blackwell reflects more on the Derek Chauvin trial. #PoliticsNation pic.twitter.com/4kohlpFJJv

— Reverend Al Sharpton (@TheRevAl) May 2, 2021

“Our theory was that the humanity that unites all of us is greater than any of the ideas that separate us,” he said.

Judge-Peter-Cahill

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