George Floyd: Derek Chauvin to appeal murder conviction

The former police officer convicted of the murder of George Floyd is appeal his conviction and sentence.

Derek Chauvin intends to appeal on 14 grounds, including claims Judge Peter Cahill abused his discretion when he denied the request to move the trial.

Other criticisms from Chauvin regarding the judge extend to Cahill rejecting to isolate the jury, denying requests to postpone the trial or grant a new one.

Former Minneapolis officer Chauvin was convicted earlier this year on charges of second-degree unintentional murder, third-degree murder and second-degree manslaughter in Floyd’s 2020 death.

For his crimes, Chauvin was sentenced to 22-and-a-half years in prison.

Chauvin is still awaiting a federal trial after being charged with violating Floyd's civil rights when he knelt on his victim's neck for more than nine minutes, while not resisting arrest and pleading for air. He has pleaded not guilty to the charges.

Chauvin says he has no attorney in the appeals process, and has no income aside from nominal prison wages.

His original court case was paid for by the Minnesota Police and Peace Officers Association’s legal defence fund. Chauvin wrote: “I have been informed that their obligation to pay for my representation terminated upon my conviction and sentencing.”

All grounds that Chauvin raised in his notice of intent to appeal had been raised previously by his defence team as the case worked its way through the district court.