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One Person's Opinion
Author: Raine
Date: 04/01/2021 13:08:13
I have been watching the trial of Derek Chauvin. It's triggering. It's upsetting. It has been at some points too much to watch. I purposefully did not view the original viral video of his death last year.
I didn't know that it was a 17-year-old girl who recorded it on Memorial Day 2020. I didn't know she had her 8-year-old cousin with her that day. I didn't know an 18-year-old cashier tended to Mr. Floyd at the convenience store that day. I didn't know an off-duty EMT tried to save his life. I wasn't aware that people all around the incident saw what was happening, filmed it knowing they wanted to do more, but couldn't.
I can't remember all of the witness's names, but I see the faces. They are the truthtellers. They - like the family of George Floyd - were traumatized that horrific day. They witnessed a life snuffed out by the knee of police officer.
What broke me yesterday was watching a 61 year old man break down in tears during his testimony.
Every witness has expressed remorse and guilt. They have expressed a wish that they could have done more to save Mr. Floyd's life. Only one person has not: his name is Derek Chauvin. He willfully murdered a man.
That's not just one person's opinion. I happen to hold it. Justice for the Floyd family, for the witnesses who were also victims of an act of violence, and a nation needs to be served.
& 
Raine
I didn't know that it was a 17-year-old girl who recorded it on Memorial Day 2020. I didn't know she had her 8-year-old cousin with her that day. I didn't know an 18-year-old cashier tended to Mr. Floyd at the convenience store that day. I didn't know an off-duty EMT tried to save his life. I wasn't aware that people all around the incident saw what was happening, filmed it knowing they wanted to do more, but couldn't.
I can't remember all of the witness's names, but I see the faces. They are the truthtellers. They - like the family of George Floyd - were traumatized that horrific day. They witnessed a life snuffed out by the knee of police officer.
What broke me yesterday was watching a 61 year old man break down in tears during his testimony.
The witness, 61-year-old Charles McMillian, was the state’s 11th since the trial began in earnest this week. He described how he was driving by and saw police confronting Floyd ― previous testimony outlined how Floyd had been suspected of using a counterfeit bill ― and decided to stop.
“I’m a nosy person,†McMillian said. He testified that he got out of his car and attempted to persuade Floyd to go with the officers willingly in order to prevent Floyd from being harmed.
Once the incident was over and emergency responders had loaded Floyd into an ambulance, McMillian is shown on body camera footage engaging in a brief conversation with Chauvin in which he said the officer’s method of restraint was unnecessary.
“That’s one person’s opinion,†Chauvin replied. “We had to control this guy because he’s a sizable guy. It looks like he’s probably on something.â€
McMillian had recognized Chauvin because five days earlier, he said, he had told him something he repeats to police officers in the community, saying that at the end of the day, the officers always get to go home safely, but others may not.
"I don't have a mama either" pic.twitter.com/RNS2znYA9D
— Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) March 31, 2021
Every witness has expressed remorse and guilt. They have expressed a wish that they could have done more to save Mr. Floyd's life. Only one person has not: his name is Derek Chauvin. He willfully murdered a man.
That's not just one person's opinion. I happen to hold it. Justice for the Floyd family, for the witnesses who were also victims of an act of violence, and a nation needs to be served.
& Raine
Comments:
Order comments Newest to Oldest Refresh Comments
Comment by 
Raine on 04/01/2021 13:26:27
Raine on 04/01/2021 13:26:27
Comment by 
wickedpam on 04/01/2021 13:43:04
wickedpam on 04/01/2021 13:43:04
Morning 
Heard a little bit of the trial in recaps on MSNBC, the witnesses just break my heart - they wanted to do so much to help and felt powerless to do so. They are so brave and strong to be there and stand for George Floyd now that he has no voice.
Heard a little bit of the trial in recaps on MSNBC, the witnesses just break my heart - they wanted to do so much to help and felt powerless to do so. They are so brave and strong to be there and stand for George Floyd now that he has no voice.
Comment by 
TriSec on 04/01/2021 13:43:37
TriSec on 04/01/2021 13:43:37
Good Morning.
I have only seen and heard snippets of the trial.
It's an "easy" one, IMHO. Every time the prosecution has the floor, they should simply play the video. Over and over and over and over.
There is no excuse.
And it also doesn't matter what the outcome of the trial is.
White Supremacists are looking for war. Guilty? Well, they get to beat up Blacks, just because! Not Guilty? Guess what - they get to beat up Blacks too, because now it's legal to do so!
I have only seen and heard snippets of the trial.
It's an "easy" one, IMHO. Every time the prosecution has the floor, they should simply play the video. Over and over and over and over.
There is no excuse.
And it also doesn't matter what the outcome of the trial is.
White Supremacists are looking for war. Guilty? Well, they get to beat up Blacks, just because! Not Guilty? Guess what - they get to beat up Blacks too, because now it's legal to do so!
Comment by 
Will in Chicago on 04/01/2021 13:58:21
Will in Chicago on 04/01/2021 13:58:21
Good morning, bloggers!!!
I fear all that the defense in the George Floyd can do is try to create doubt and portrayed the officers as afraid and surrounded by a hostile crowd. This is despite the evidence of the video and the testimony of eyewitnesses.
TriSec, I fear your analysis is correct. As a nation, we have been afraid to address issues of race or class. Until we deal with several underlying problems in our nation, I think that we will see more incidents like the death of George Floyd.
I fear all that the defense in the George Floyd can do is try to create doubt and portrayed the officers as afraid and surrounded by a hostile crowd. This is despite the evidence of the video and the testimony of eyewitnesses.
TriSec, I fear your analysis is correct. As a nation, we have been afraid to address issues of race or class. Until we deal with several underlying problems in our nation, I think that we will see more incidents like the death of George Floyd.
Comment by TriSec on 04/01/2021 14:04:51
TriSec on 04/01/2021 14:04:51
And in other news, somewhat incongruous given the nature of today's blog...
Javi is coming home for the weekend!
I have also taken steps to correct last year's "Easter of Discontent". I have made pizzeles, there's a ricotta pie in the oven as we speak, and biscotti coming up Saturday afternoon.
We aren't having a houseful on Easter Sunday - I'm still cooking and sending things away in takeaway boxes, but it is something.
Javi is coming home for the weekend!
I have also taken steps to correct last year's "Easter of Discontent". I have made pizzeles, there's a ricotta pie in the oven as we speak, and biscotti coming up Saturday afternoon.
We aren't having a houseful on Easter Sunday - I'm still cooking and sending things away in takeaway boxes, but it is something.
Comment by Will in Chicago on 04/01/2021 14:19:20
I saw Mom and had an online seder. (Mom and my sister are in my bubble as my Mom does not drive on the highway and my sister does not drive.) It was pleasant but not the same as being with others in person.
Will in Chicago on 04/01/2021 14:19:20
Quote by TriSec:
And in other news, somewhat incongruous given the nature of today's blog...
Javi is coming home for the weekend!
I have also taken steps to correct last year's "Easter of Discontent". I have made pizzeles, there's a ricotta pie in the oven as we speak, and biscotti coming up Saturday afternoon.
We aren't having a houseful on Easter Sunday - I'm still cooking and sending things away in takeaway boxes, but it is something.
I saw Mom and had an online seder. (Mom and my sister are in my bubble as my Mom does not drive on the highway and my sister does not drive.) It was pleasant but not the same as being with others in person.
Comment by Will in Chicago on 04/01/2021 14:35:46
Will in Chicago on 04/01/2021 14:35:46
If Gaetz is charged with child sex-trafficking, I doubt even Newsmax will find a place for him in their outfit. (I could be wrong. I have seen several organizations set new lows.)
Comment by 
livingonli on 04/01/2021 16:02:53
livingonli on 04/01/2021 16:02:53
I finally got new glasses which are good for distance but not as good for reading. But my current financial/insurance situation probably doesn't cover the cost of bifocals or progressive lenses.
Comment by wickedpam on 04/01/2021 16:09:25
I have the progressives for reading, honestly reading is better when I can just take them off. My reg glasses are mainly for distance too
wickedpam on 04/01/2021 16:09:25
Quote by livingonli:
I finally got new glasses which are good for distance but not as good for reading. But my current financial/insurance situation probably doesn't cover the cost of bifocals or progressive lenses.
I have the progressives for reading, honestly reading is better when I can just take them off. My reg glasses are mainly for distance too
Comment by TriSec on 04/01/2021 16:37:30
TriSec on 04/01/2021 16:37:30
OK, so rent...one credit card bill...and paid off one new phone at Verizon.
What stimulus check??
(Just kidding - wouldn't have been able to do any of that without the help.)
What stimulus check??
(Just kidding - wouldn't have been able to do any of that without the help.)