A Minnesota judge removed a gag order against the four Minneapolis police officers charged in the death of George Floyd, citing their inability to fend off negative publicity.
Hennepin County District Judge Peter Cahill said he still expects all attorneys involved in the case to follow the legal rules for disclosure. Cahill also said he would consider the media coalition’s request to make the body camera images more widely available.
All four police officers were fired after the death of George Floyd, a black man who died while in police custody on May 25, after former police officer Derek Chauvin pressed his knee to the back of Floyd’s neck during almost eight minutes, despite Floyd’s pleas. I couldn’t breathe
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Chauvin faces charges of second-degree murder, third-degree murder, and manslaughter.
The other three officers who were also on the scene were Tou Thao, Thomas Lane and J. Kueng, who were charged with aiding and abetting second degree killings and homicides.
Lane’s attorney Earl Gray submitted the body camera images to the court as part of a request that Lane’s case be dismissed. Gray reportedly said he wanted the videos to be made public, prompting Cahill’s order preventing anyone involved in the case from discussing it.
Defense attorneys for the four men opposed the initial gag order.
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Cahill also made the body camera images available for viewing in person, by appointment only, a move media attorney Leita Walker opposed, citing violations of the First Amendment and laws that allow public access to records. .
Court records are considered open to public access with few exceptions. Prosecutors reportedly said a court can impose restrictions if they believe it will affect the fair and impartial application of justice.
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The judge further ruled that he would not hold Attorney General Keith Ellison in contempt of court, rejecting the request made by two other attorneys following Ellison’s announcement that additional attorneys would assist the prosecution.
Associated Press contributed to this report.
