President Joe Biden says he is praying for the “right verdict” in the murder trial of former Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin.
Chauvin is facing manslaughter and murder charges in the death of George Floyd last May. He pleaded not guilty.
Speaking to reporters at the White House on Tuesday, Biden said, “I can only imagine the pressure and anxiety they’re feeling.”
He went on to say he talked to Floyd’s family on Monday and noted that they are “calling for peace and tranquility no matter what that verdict is.”
“I’m praying the verdict is the right verdict, which I think it’s overwhelming, in my view. I wouldn’t say that unless the jury was sequestered,” he added.
Watch the video below:
Joe Biden says he talked on the phone with George Floyd's family on Monday and that he's "praying the verdict is the right verdict."
— Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) April 20, 2021
"I think it's overwhelming, in my view," he says, adding that he's only now sharing his thoughts on the Chauvin case b/c the jury is sequestered pic.twitter.com/Qd1mGXiUTy
Biden’s comments come as the jurors’ deliberations continued into a second day and after Hennepin County District Judge Peter Cahill criticized elected officials who were speaking out about the case.
“I wish elected officials would stop talking about this case, especially in a manner that is disrespectful to the rule of law and to the judicial branch and our function,” Cahill said, adding, “If they want to give their opinions, they should do so in a manner that is consistent with their oath to the Constitution, to respect the co-equal branch of government. Their failure to do so, I think, is abhorrent.”
Cahill’s comments come after Chauvin’s defense attorney Eric Nelson asked for a mistrial because of controversial remarks by Rep. Maxine Waters (D-Calif.), who said protesters should “get more confrontational” if Chauvin is acquitted.
Cahill denied the request for a mistrial, as he said, “A congresswoman’s opinion really doesn’t matter a whole lot.”
“I will give you that Congresswoman Waters may have given you something on appeal that may result in this whole trial being overturned,” he added.
