# Trial of Derek Chauvin (killer of George Floyd) outcome poll **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [April 19, 2021, 8:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trial-of-derek-chauvin-killer-of-george-floyd-outcome-poll/940327 "2021-04-19T20:07:35Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 14\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![ratatoskK](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ratatoskk/32/2987_2.png) [@ratatoskK](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ratatoskK)\ **Post date:** [April 20, 2021, 1:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trial-of-derek-chauvin-killer-of-george-floyd-outcome-poll/940327/21 "2021-04-20T13:32:58Z")
> [@iamthewalrus\_3](#): > > Probably because it doesn’t make sense? I don’t think you can be guilty of two different types of murder for killing one person. The attorneys for the prosecution would differ with that. ---
**Author:** ![Jas09](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/d07c76/32.png) [@Jas09](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jas09)\ **Post date:** [April 20, 2021, 4:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trial-of-derek-chauvin-killer-of-george-floyd-outcome-poll/940327/22 "2021-04-20T16:27:46Z")
> [@DeadTreasSecretaries](#): > > I believe he could be guilty of multiple. It could wind up mattering if there is an appeal that vacates one conviction but not another. If multiple convictions stand, I think the sentences would be concurrent, so effectively a lesser conviction would have no effect. Yes, this is correct. In fact, due to the way the crimes are defined I find it hard to believe you could convict of 2nd Degree Murder and _not_ convict on the manslaughter charge. It’s not strictly a “lesser included offense” but it’s pretty damn close. You’d have to say that he intentionally assaulted Floyd, which substantially caused Floyd’s death. But that he **didn’t** negligently take a risk that caused death or great bodily harm. That seems a tough needle to thread. ---
**Author:** ![PoppaSan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/poppasan/32/189_2.png) [@PoppaSan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PoppaSan)\ **Post date:** [April 20, 2021, 4:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trial-of-derek-chauvin-killer-of-george-floyd-outcome-poll/940327/23 "2021-04-20T16:34:59Z")
My thoughts exactly. If not now, then on appeal. If he is acquitted, does the thread title get changed? ---
**Author:** ![steronz](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/steronz/32/11765_2.png) [@steronz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/steronz)\ **Post date:** [April 20, 2021, 5:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trial-of-derek-chauvin-killer-of-george-floyd-outcome-poll/940327/24 "2021-04-20T17:30:01Z")
Hung jury, Chauvin walks. The State doesn’t re-try it. ---
**Author:** ![Locrian](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/locrian/32/14146_2.png) [@Locrian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Locrian)\ **Post date:** [April 20, 2021, 5:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trial-of-derek-chauvin-killer-of-george-floyd-outcome-poll/940327/25 "2021-04-20T17:50:45Z")
You are reading the back of my mind. 😁 That really better not happen. I think he’ll get third degree murder and manslaughter. Come on, jury, it’s a murder! ---
**Author:** ![DesertDog](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/desertdog/32/11503_2.png) [@DesertDog](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DesertDog)\ **Post date:** [April 20, 2021, 7:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trial-of-derek-chauvin-killer-of-george-floyd-outcome-poll/940327/26 "2021-04-20T19:28:38Z")
> [@Mallard](#): > > To me, American law has had some quirks that I’ve not understood. Such as someone getting a sentence of “life” in prison plus 20 years. It conjures up images of the rotting corpse left in the cell. That’s a prison wing I’d hate to have duty in! Actually it _is_ a quirk. Typically even a life sentence is subject to parole review after as little as 15 years. The prisoner might be released on parole for the rest of his life. He won’t be entirely free – has to report periodically to a parole officer, must notify changes of address, etc. – but at least he’s walking around. The _plus 20_ means he won’t be considered for parole until the minimum for _that_ addition – typically one third – has elapsed so our “Life +20” guy is in for a minimum of 20 or 21 years. Ditto for multiple life sentences. Get convicted and sentenced for three life sentences and you’re looking at a minimum of 45 years in the slammer. It’s a way of saying, “We really mean it.” ---
**Author:** ![iamthewalrus\_3](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/258eb7/32.png) [@iamthewalrus\_3](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/iamthewalrus_3)\ **Post date:** [April 20, 2021, 7:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trial-of-derek-chauvin-killer-of-george-floyd-outcome-poll/940327/27 "2021-04-20T19:43:30Z")
> [@LivingGhost371](#): > > Guilt on all three charges is allowed, but the sentences won’t stack. > [@ratatoskK](#): > > The attorneys for the prosecution would differ with that. I stand corrected. Obviously the law is the place for split hairs like these, but what is the observable effect of being convicted of multiple crimes for a single act when the punishment is the same? More difficulty on appeal? ---
**Author:** ![ratatoskK](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ratatoskk/32/2987_2.png) [@ratatoskK](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ratatoskK)\ **Post date:** [April 20, 2021, 7:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trial-of-derek-chauvin-killer-of-george-floyd-outcome-poll/940327/28 "2021-04-20T19:49:03Z")
The jury has reached a verdict, which will be read in about an hour (4:30 - 5:00 Eastern time). ---
**Author:** ![Velocity](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/velocity/32/18006_2.png) [@Velocity](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Velocity)\ **Post date:** [April 20, 2021, 7:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trial-of-derek-chauvin-killer-of-george-floyd-outcome-poll/940327/29 "2021-04-20T19:53:16Z")
> [@Mallard](#): > > Fair question. To me, American law has had some quirks that I’ve not understood. Such as someone getting a sentence of “life” in prison plus 20 years. It conjures up images of the rotting corpse left in the cell. You remind me of someone who said on Facebook that he wanted to see a defendant put in the electric chair for 20 years. Some people had to point out to him that this would lead to a rather…unsightly outcome. ---
**Author:** ![Nars\_Glinley](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/nars_glinley/32/8177_2.png) [@Nars\_Glinley](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nars_Glinley)\ **Post date:** [April 20, 2021, 9:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trial-of-derek-chauvin-killer-of-george-floyd-outcome-poll/940327/30 "2021-04-20T21:10:45Z")
Since the verdict has been returned, I’ve closed the poll. Yes, he was found guilty on all 3 counts but I would stay the 16% the voted for 2nd degree murder got it right. ---
**Author:** ![TroutMan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/troutman/32/6721_2.png) [@TroutMan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TroutMan)\ **Post date:** [April 20, 2021, 9:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trial-of-derek-chauvin-killer-of-george-floyd-outcome-poll/940327/31 "2021-04-20T21:18:24Z")
I am soooo glad to have voted wrong. ---
**Author:** ![ParallelLines](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/parallellines/32/3575_2.png) [@ParallelLines](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ParallelLines)\ **Post date:** [April 20, 2021, 9:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trial-of-derek-chauvin-killer-of-george-floyd-outcome-poll/940327/32 "2021-04-20T21:20:01Z")
I am glad to be proven wrong. But we should also now have a poll for what happens on appeal, especially after the judge muddied the waters prior to deliberation. ---
**Author:** ![Sherrerd](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sherrerd/32/8_2.png) [@Sherrerd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sherrerd)\ **Post date:** [April 20, 2021, 10:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trial-of-derek-chauvin-killer-of-george-floyd-outcome-poll/940327/33 "2021-04-20T22:23:25Z")
> [@TroutMan](#): > > I am soooo glad to have voted wrong. Me, too! \ > [@ParallelLines](#): > > … But we should also now have a poll for what happens on appeal, especially after the judge muddied the waters prior to deliberation. This is a reasonable anxiety. An appeal is (virtually) certain. I don’t see how they could possibly make ‘Maxine Waters ruined everything!’ the centerpiece of the appeal and hope to get away with it; they will need some substantive error in the judge’s rulings to get anywhere. (But even before appeal: I am having visions of too many tv episodes in which the judge overturns the jury’s verdict, usually due to the judge being shown to be a bigot of one variety or other. I hope nothing of the kind is a possibility here.) ---
**Author:** ![LivingGhost371](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/b9e5f3/32.png) [@LivingGhost371](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LivingGhost371)\ **Post date:** [April 20, 2021, 11:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trial-of-derek-chauvin-killer-of-george-floyd-outcome-poll/940327/34 "2021-04-20T23:12:22Z")
Exactly. If one of the verdicts get thrown out on appeal there’s still two more keeping him in prison. There’s potential appeal issues with how the law is intended to apply to Murder 3 that could very well get it tossed, but Murder 2 and Manslaughter 2 are going to stick unless there is something about the entire trial. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trial-of-derek-chauvin-killer-of-george-floyd-outcome-poll/940327.md?page=1)