Derek Chauvin's Family Remains MIA from Courtroom During George Floyd Murder Trial
Apr. 6 2021, Published 4:46 p.m. ET
As members of George Floyd's family take turns sitting in their one allotted reserved seat in the back corner of the Minneapolis courtroom where Derek Chauvin is on trial for the murder of their loved one, the seats reserved for the ex-police officer's family remain unclaimed.
Not only have no blood relatives or friends of the disgraced police officer appeared in court to support him, but he's also been openly condemned by former law enforcement colleagues who have taken the stand and opted against protecting Chauvin in what's oftentimes referred to as the "blue wall of silence."
Some of the most respected, experienced members of Minneapolis law enforcement – including Police Chief Medaria Arrondondo and Head of Homicide Richard Zimmerman – have testified against Chauvin, a 45-year-old white man who's charged with killing the 46-year-old Black man by kneeling on his neck for 9 minutes and 29 seconds.
At the time of the fatal encounter, Floyd was handcuffed and lying prone on the street. Police were called after he was accused of paying for a pack of cigarettes with a counterfeit $20 bill at a nearby convenience store, and the situation escalated from there.
Arrondondo's consensus was that Chauvin continuing to kneel on Floyd's neck once he was handcuffed behind his back, lying face-down and not showing signs of resistance was "in no way, shape or form" part of the department's policy or training, "and it is certainly not part of our ethics or our values."
For his part, Zimmerman said he felt that the level of force Chauvin used to restrain Floyd on May 25, 2020 – the day he died – was "totally unnecessary."
Minneapolis Cop Blasts Derek Chauvin for Using 'Totally Unnecessary' Force on George Floyd
The already grueling trial began March 29, less than two months after a Minnesota judge approved a divorce settlement between Derek and his now-ex-wife, Kellie, who filed for divorce just a few days after Floyd's death.
Kellie, a former radiologist and beauty queen who was born in Laos, released a statement via her lawyer, Sekula Law Offices, at the time of Floyd's passing.
"Kellie is devastated by Mr Floyd's death and her utmost sympathy lies with his family, with his loved ones, and with everyone who is grieving this tragedy,” read the statement. "She has filed for dissolution of her marriage to Derek Chauvin. While Ms Chauvin has no children from her current marriage, she respectfully requests that her children, her elder parents, and her extended family be given safety and privacy during this difficult time."
Chauvin is charged with second-degree murder, third-degree murder and second-degree manslaughter.