Former Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin requested a public defender to appeal his conviction for the murder of George Floyd, but the state’s Supreme Court denied it.
Chauvin, who is behind bars after getting sentenced to 22 years in prison, said his only source of income is from his prison wages. Last month, he filed an appeal on his behalf and asked for a delay until he could get a public defender, Fox News reported.
The Minnesota Appellate Public Defender’s office previously determined he wasn’t eligible for a public defender. After reviewing his debts and assets, the justices agreed that he had not established that he was entitled to one. However, Chief Justice Lorie Gildea wrote Chauvin may seek a public defender in the future if he’s unable to pay for a lawyer.
During his trial, the Minnesota Police and Peace Officers Association covered his legal defense fees, but the association is no longer responsible for paying.
Chauvin listed 14 reasons why he was filing his appeal. For one, he feels that his trial should have been moved from Hennepin County, where Floyd was killed. He also referenced that the publicity of the case was problematic and that the jury should have been sequestered.
But the former officer has other fish to fry. He is still facing federal charges of violating Floyd’s civil rights, to which he has pleaded not guilty.
