Judge Derek Chauvin says Rep. Maxine Waters’ comments may be grounds for appeal

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“I will give you that Congresswoman Waters may have filed something on appeal that could result in the revocation of this entire trial,” Judge Peter Cahill told defense attorney Eric Nelson on Monday.

On Saturday night, Waters had asked protesters to “stay on the street” and “get more confrontational” if Chauvin is acquitted of Floyd’s murder, comments immediately confiscated by Republicans claiming Waters incited violence. The California Democrat said she was in Brooklyn Center, Minnesota, to show her support for protesters amid ongoing protests over the murder of Daunte Wright by police and also to support her family.

“We have to stay on the street and demand justice,” Waters told reporters, according to the video posted on social media.

“We are looking for a verdict of guilt and we are looking for whether all the talk that took place and has taken place after seeing what happened to George Floyd. If nothing happens, we know we have to not only stay on the street, but that we must fight for justice, “he added.

The defense had called for a lawsuit against the recent publicity of the case, including television programs and Waters’ comments. Nelson noted that the trial had not only been news, but had recently been included in two fictional television programs and what he described as “threats” to the sanctity of the jury trial by Waters over the weekend. .

Cahill said he was aware of Waters’ comments about “the unacceptability of nothing less than a conviction for murder and talk of being confronted.”

“I would like elected officials to stop talking about this case, especially in a way that does not respect the rule of law and the judiciary and our function,” Cahill later added. “I think if they want to have an opinion, they should do so in a respectful and consistent manner with the oath of the Constitution, to respect an egalitarian branch of government.”

“I think it’s wrong to do that, but I don’t think we’re harmed by additional material that harms this jury,” he said, adding that “a congresswoman’s opinion really doesn’t matter much.” ”

Waters has not responded to requests for comment from CNN.

After a day of closing arguments, the jury’s deliberations began Monday afternoon. In the state’s final argument, prosecutors said Chauvin knelt on Floyd’s neck and back for 9 minutes and 29 seconds because of his pride and ego in front of worried passersby. In response, the defense said Chauvin acted as a “reasonable officer” in this situation and said there was no evidence that he intentionally or intentionally used force that was illegal.
The outcome of the trial could spark protests in light of national unrest over the recent deaths of black Americans at the hands of police. The military is preparing to approve a request for DC National Guard forces to be deployed as early as Monday night if there is unrest following the verdict, according to a U.S. defense officer.

CNN’s Chandelis Duster, Eric Levenson, and Aaron Cooper contributed to this report.

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