Sojourner Truth Radio

Today on Sojourner Truth, we discuss the trial of Derek Chauvin, the white police officer who murdered George Floyd in Minneapolis, Minnesota, on May 25, 2020. Chauvin's murder trial began on March 8, 2021, with opening statements beginning on Monday, March 29. This has become one of the most closely watched court cases in decades. Floyd, a Black father of three and a grandfather of two, was killed during an arrest after a store clerk claimed he used a counterfeit $20 bill. Chauvin, one of the four police officers who arrived on the scene, handcuffed him and slammed him face-down on the street. Three other officers - Tou Thao, Thomas Lane and J. Alexander Kueng - restrained Floyd and another prevented passersby from defending Floyd. They have also been charged with aiding and abetting second-degree murder and aiding and abetting second-degree manslaughter. Chauvin proceeded to kneel on Floyd's neck for 9 minutes and 29 seconds, preventing him from breathing. As he was pinned under Chauvin's knee, Floyd repea