Someone explain this verdict to me ... guilty of BOTH murder and manslaughter?

Sergeant Manslaughter wrote:

Preferably someone with some legal background.

How can someone be found guilty of unintentional second-degree murder, third-degree murder and second-degree manslaughter? .

Please excuse my language, but that former officer is a real son of a gun.

We just voted “guilty” on everything because we really, really didn’t want our houses burned down.

That's actually a good question, otherwise how is every murderer not also convicted of manslaughter?

2nd degree murder doesn't require intent.

Caleb's Hat wrote:

That's actually a good question, otherwise how is every murderer not also convicted of manslaughter?

First of all the manslaughter charge was thrown in there because it potentially fit and they wanted a conviction on something. There was no “intent to kill” requirement here. This was unintentional 2nd degree murder. 3rd degree murder also had no “intent to kill.” We already know Chauvin likely did not intend to kill with everyone watching.

jury member wrote:

We just voted “guilty” on everything because we really, really didn’t want our houses burned down.

Right wing Letsrun posters never disappoint.

Chauvin can only be sentenced on the 2nd degree murder conviction.

gernu wrote:

Caleb's Hat wrote:

That's actually a good question, otherwise how is every murderer not also convicted of manslaughter?

First of all the manslaughter charge was thrown in there because it potentially fit and they wanted a conviction on something. There was no “intent to kill” requirement here. This was unintentional 2nd degree murder. 3rd degree murder also had no “intent to kill.” We already know Chauvin likely did not intend to kill with everyone watching.

I would've thought since all 3 charges were different degrees of the same act on one individual, only the biggest charge of guilt would stick and the other two disregarded.

Can someone explain why all 3 charges were accepted?

Or will the judge set the sentence based on only the biggest charge? Or will he sentence on all 3 charges combined consecutively or overlapped?

I honestly don't know how this works.

Seems like every first-degree murder trial would include charges of lesser degree murder and manslaughter just to make sure at least one charge sticks. But I doubt this is often done.

Thank you for asking this. I was wondering the same thing but was too chicken to ask.

I’m a pre-law student, and I really don’t think there was much of a case for murder with Chauvin.

You could make the “known risk argument” basically saying Chauvin knew he could kill Floyd by doing what he was doing, but didn’t necessarily want to.

It’s like someone intentionally shooting someone else, and saying “I didn’t want to kill him, I just wanted to hurt him” is this guy a murderer? I sure say so, and most jury’s would agree with me.

The problem is that if you are kneeling on someone, and they can still talk, you probably aren’t assuming there is a good chance they are going to die. Obviously kneeling on someone’s neck is a horrible idea. Very very strong manslaughter case here, but I just can’t bring myself to agree with murder.

My conclusion, as someone that isn’t yet a criminal justice lawyer but plans on becoming one, is that Chauvin is guilty of illegal assault and manslaughter, but murder is very iffy.

He should be in jail but I don’t think he meant or wanted to kill Floyd. He just abused his power a bit too much and crossed that line.

And yes he won’t be sentenced for each individual charge, it’ll most likely be he serves for each charge consecutively.

I’m not familiar with the state laws so I’m pulling these years out of my butt, but

8 years for manslaughter

10 years for 3rd degree

15 years for 2nd degree

= 15 years jail time (usually)

I dont know. its retraded

Wow. You really have no idea what you are talking about.

pretend lawyers on lrc wrote:

Wow. You really have no idea what you are talking about.

Wanna explain why instead of just saying it?

CopperRunner wrote:

And yes he won’t be sentenced for each individual charge, it’ll most likely be he serves for each charge consecutively.

I’m not familiar with the state laws so I’m pulling these years out of my butt, but

8 years for manslaughter

10 years for 3rd degree

15 years for 2nd degree

= 15 years jail time (usually)

No. Chauvin will only be sentenced for the 2nd degree murder conviction.

CopperRunner wrote:

And yes he won’t be sentenced for each individual charge, it’ll most likely be he serves for each charge consecutively.

I’m not familiar with the state laws so I’m pulling these years out of my butt, but

8 years for manslaughter

10 years for 3rd degree

15 years for 2nd degree

= 15 years jail time (usually)

Please put those numbers back in and come up with a higher number.

Former officer Chauvin must pay for his crimes against humanity perpetrated over his entire career, not for just this one indiscretion.

As someone intending to become a criminal justice lawyer you are off to a rough start. You need to learn the difference between assault and battery. Pretty elementary and you failed pretty badly. Assault is threatening someone and battery is when you actually hit that person. First lesson

Engine 53 wrote:

jury member wrote:

We just voted “guilty” on everything because we really, really didn’t want our houses burned down.

Right wing Letsrun posters never disappoint.

Taking a moment to remind everyone --

If your position is:

supportive of a police state mentality where government employees can kill citizens

instead of

requiring police officers to arrest suspects for prosecution in a court of law, under the legal standard of innocent until proven guilty, with a verdict being delivered by a jury of their peers,

then, while that position may certainly be a right wing position, it is NOT a conservative position. It is something else. Think about it.

Speaking as a constitutional conservative.

gernu wrote:

CopperRunner wrote:

And yes he won’t be sentenced for each individual charge, it’ll most likely be he serves for each charge consecutively.

I’m not familiar with the state laws so I’m pulling these years out of my butt, but

8 years for manslaughter

10 years for 3rd degree

15 years for 2nd degree

= 15 years jail time (usually)

No. Chauvin will only be sentenced for the 2nd degree murder conviction.

That’s essentially what I said.

When he is sentenced they will read all guilty charges and the corresponding sentences. Judge will then say something along the lines of “each sentence is to be served consecutively” meaning Chauvin is only serving the sentence of the biggest charge (second degree murder)