Pandemic shapes trial of Minneapolis ex-cop in Floyd's death
(Court TV, via AP, Pool)MINNEAPOLIS – Because the trial of a former Minneapolis police officer charged in George Floyd's death is being held during the coronavirus pandemic, the courtroom has been overhauled for safety. The pandemic has upended court systems across the country, delaying jury trials and creating huge backlogs of cases. Many courts have installed barriers or moved jury orientation and even trials themselves to bigger spaces such as convention centers to get at least some jury trials going again. In Minnesota, in-person criminal jury trials have been mostly on hold since November. Tall plexiglass dividers separate the judge and court staffers from the limited number of other people in the courtroom.
Minnesota juvenile lifer walks free after 18 years in prison
Just hours after receiving the news, he walked out the front door of Stillwater prison into below-freezing temperatures. The AP investigation that followed sparked national outrage and gave Burrell’s family and community organizers the ammunition they needed to get Klobuchar’s attention. One had his 16-year prison sentence cut to three. He said the justice system failed his family, and media coverage and support for Burrell’s release overshadowed his sister’s death. Edwards III, Tyesha’s brother, said news of Burrell’s release is especially hard after the death of his mother last year.