#Judge rejects cameras at hearings for ex-cops in George Floyd’s death

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The officers charged in the death of George Floyd, from left: Derek Chauvin, J. Alexander Kueng, Thomas Lane and Tou Thao.
Hennepin County Sheriff’s Office via AP

Cameras won’t be allowed in the court for pretrial proceedings of the four former Minneapolis cops who are charged in the death of George Floyd, a judge has ruled.

Defense attorneys as well as news organizations had requested that the proceedings be recorded. Hennepin County District Judge Peter Cahill rejected the request Friday, citing the objection of the prosecution.

Cahill will rule later on whether cameras will be allowed at trial, the Associated Press reported.

A  defense attorney argued the recordings would guarantee the ex-cops get a fair trial in light of “multiple and inappropriate public comments” by prosecutors and other officials.

“The State’s conduct has made a fair and unbiased trial extremely unlikely and the Defendants seek video and audio coverage to let a cleansing light shine on these proceedings. Doing otherwise allows these public officials to geld the Constitution,” wrote lawyer Thomas Plunkett, who represents former officer J. Alexander Kueng, who is charged with aiding and abetting Floyd’s killing last month.

Plunkett cited Minneapolis Police Chief Medaria Arradondo calling Floyd’s death “murder” as an example.

In a statement Friday, Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison, whose office is leading the prosecution, said allowing cameras in the courtroom “will create more problems than it would solve,” by altering the way lawyers present evidence and possibly intimidating witnesses.

The ex-officers are due in court Monday.