Leid Stories

Leid Stories - 04.14.21

The trial of Minnesota ex-cop Derek Chauvin -- on murder and manslaughter charges in the death of George Floyd during a brutal, botched arrest on May 20 last year -- continues its final phase, which began yesterday.

Chauvin will not testify in his own defense, but expert witnesses are expected to buttress the defense's central arguments that Chauvin did not cause Floyd's death, and that Chauvin did not use excessive, but appropriate, force in restraining and arresting Floyd.

Will Chauvin's legal strategy (not testifying) work? Will a jury react favorably to "expert" but second-hand testimony about an event of this magnitude rather than from a key player in the drama?

Leid Sotries - 04.13.21

From all indications, the Derek Chauvin case will wind up soon.

It appears Chauvin will not take the stand in his own defense.

His lawyers instead will lean heavily on "expert witness" testimony that uniformly cited George Floyd's tenuous state of health up to and including  at the time of his arrest, and that Floyd's prolonged resistance to being arrested caused his tragic death on May 25 last year.

The defense coursed the jury through a cocktail of drugs found in Floyd's system during an autopsy and walked them through what were described as abnormalities of Floyd's heart brought on by prolonged drug use.

But it wasn't drug use that killed George Floyd, prosecutors said. It was Chauvin's use of a painful and illegal method of restraint that cut off Floyd's blood flow and air supply for about nine and a half minutes. Floyd was already dead by the time an ambulance reached the scene.

So, without Chovin's testimony and the opportunity to question him, what is likely to be the outcome of this trial?

Leid Stories listeners offer their opinions.

Leid Stories - 04.12.21

TOPICS:

▪︎Are we all suffering alike in this pandemic? Are the wealthy doing their part to help ease the burdens of fellow Americans? Is the government reluctant or unwilling to demand more from the wealthy?

▪︎The Derek Chauvin case continues. Will he testify?

▪︎With growing reports of resurgences in coronavirus strains and deaths, should we not know from our health experts what we need to know?

 

Leid Stories - 04.09.21

On Fridays, Leid Stories becomes an open forum so listeners can express their views on issues they have strong feelings about. 

Bring your thoughts to the forum and make your case. Some will agree, some won't, some won't particularly care.

But if you'd like to share your opinion about an issue, call 888-874-4888 and let's hear what you have to say.

Leid Sotries - 04.08.21

Just What Kind of Cop Was Derek Chauvin? How Many More Are There Like Him In Our Communities?

Derek Chauvin, it seems, was a "special" cop. Or, at least he thought so, and encouraged that view over his almost two decades in law enforcement. His run ended abruptly last year, after he jammed his knee into George Floyd's neck, and kept it there for nine and a half minutes, to "restrain" Floyd during a violent arrest.

As Chauvin faces murder and manslaughter charges in Floyd's horrific death, questions abound. Leid Stories listeners raise questions about Chauvin that not even prosecutors want to raise.

Leid Sotries - 04.07.21

Behind the Blue Line, Who's Policing the Police?

This week in the trial of Derek Chauvin--the Minneapolis ex-cop who is the central figure in the killing of George Floyd in a botched arrest on May 25 last year--expert witnesses testified about proper police procedures for arrest and restraint. 

They pointedly disputed Chauvin's claim that the knee-on-the-neck method he used to restrain Floyd was a police tactic. 

Today on Leid Stories we ask the question: Who's policing the police?

Leid Stories - 04.05.21

Week 2 in the trial of Minneapolis ex-cop Derek Chauvin begins today, with more testimony about the key role he had in the May 25, 2020 death of local resident George Floyd.

Derek, a 19-year veteran of the metropolitan police department, led a four-man squad assigned to investigate a complaint that Floyd used a counterfeit $20 bill to pay for a purchase at a convenience store. Floyd was to be arrested at the scene and taken in for further questioning.

Bystander and cop-cam videos showed Floyd loudly protesting his innocence while handcuffed and prone on the street with his hands behind his back. Videos also showed Chauvin kneeling on Floyd's neck for 9 minutes and 29 seconds. Floyd had no pulse when an ambulance arrived to take him to a hospital.

As the trial enters its second week, Leid Stories listeners offer their opinions on key issues in trial and what they expect of both prosecution and defense as it continues.

Leid Stories - 04.02.21

It's another edition of "Free Your Mind Friday" on Leid Stories. 

On Fridays we suspend our regular program format and become an open forum featuring listeners' views on issues that matter.

Opinions to the contrary also are welcome.

Have something important to say? Call 888-874-4888 and say it on air!

Leid Stories - 04.01.21

Derek Chauvin, Ex-Cop Charged With Killing George Floyd, Goes On Trial in Minneapolis  

(Part 4)

It is the fourth day of trial for Minneapolis ex-cop Derek Chauvin, defending himself against murder and manslaughter charges stemming from his role in the brutal killing of local resident George Floyd during a violent arrest on May 25 last year.

Today on Leid Stories we look at the intersection of race and class in this trial, how it is manifesting itself, and in what ways it likely will affect the outcome of the case.

As you listen to the conversation, what are your thoughts on the subject? Call 888-874-4888 and share your view live on air. 

Leid Stories - 03.31.21

Trial and Tribulation: What's Troubling About the Prosecution of Derek Chovin, the Minnesota Ex- Cop on Trial for Killing George Floyd

"Leid Stories" host Utrice Leid, who has covered many controversial death-by-cop cases as a journalist in New York, discusses troubling aspects of the case against fired Minnesota cop Derek Chovin. 

Currently on trial on murder and manslaughter charges in the May 25, 2010 death of George Floyd, Chovin headed a four-man team attempting to arrest Floyd for passing a phony $20 bill at a neighborhood convenience store. But things went horribly wrong as Floyd resisted arrest. Chovin subdued Floyd by pressing into Floyd's neck with his knee and holding it there for nine minutes and 29 seconds. Floyd, unable to breathe, went limp. He was declared dead at a nearby hospital.

With the trial just started, Leid says she sees troubling signs with the prosecution.

What do you think? Call 888-874-4888 and share your view live on air.