Current Events
Updates on the Derek Chauvin Trial
This quarter in our Journalism class we focused on staying updated on the trial and looking to the sources that we felt we could trust for unbiased information. The following are updates about the trial, jury selection, and the community's response to the trial so far.
Sources that we have found helpful for staying informed during the trial:
MPR News (local National Public Radio station)
USA Today (free news website)
Unicorn Riot on Twitter (updates throughout the day on the progress of the trial & the community response)
The Legal Rights Center on Youtube (breaks down the facts of the trial)
A note from the Journalism class:
For support or resources related to processing traumatic events start with reaching out to a member of our Student Support Team or an adult you trust at school or at home. Here is a link to a website from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services that offers coping tips for traumatic events.
Chauvin Trial: Medical Evidence
Can they prove that Derick Chauvin killed George Floyd by looking at the medical evidence? The prosecutors are trying to charge ex-officer Chauvin with felony murder, they have to prove he caused George Floyd’s death while committing another felony - for this case third degree assault.
To prove that he caused his death they are using the evidence from the autopsy conducted by doctors from Hennepin county. Their second piece of evidence in the report from the U.S. armed forces medical examiner system. It is a review of the original autopsy and additional medical records.
They both appear to show that Chauvin’s actions caused the death of George Floyd, but also showed pre-existing cardiovascular issues and methamphetamine and fentanyl intoxication.
Derek Chauvin’s attorney will try to prove that the pre-existing condition and intoxication is the reason George Floyd died.
The prosecutors just have to prove Chauvin’s actions were one of the reasons George Floyd died, it does not have to be the only reason.
About the Source:
The Legal Rights Center YouTube channel is owned by an individual or company/group. So there is room for them to add their bias. But in this case they stayed away from using opinions and backed up their claims with sources. So I believe it is unbiased.
Summary of jury selection from USA Today:
According to USA Today, the jury overseeing the Chauvin trial consists of 6 people of color out of 15 jurors. They will be deciding the fate of Derek Chauvin, the officer who killed George Floyd. He will be charged with 2nd degree and 3rd degree murder and 2nd degree manslaughter.
The community responded to the murder with riots that swept through not only Minneapolis, St Paul and the suburbs surrounding the two cities, but the entire world. Buildings were burned and looted, businesses were boarded up. A curfew was set in place. The impact was huge. Minneapolis leaders promise a change in the police system.
About the source:
USA Today is owned by the Gannett company. I had to look for bias, it’s there but barely. Advertisements are everywhere.
"Twelve months ago, our country was in the early stages of the COVID-19 pandemic. Most Americans were entering their first quarantines and watching a virus spread faster than government systems could track.
But Asian Americans were watching something spread even faster than COVID-19: Widespread hate and discrimination against members of our community."
Click here to read more from USA Today
StopAAPIhate.org is another good website for staying informed, reporting hate incidents, safety tips and ideas for taking action against discrimination.
Stop Asian Hate
By: Linda Tolentino
On the night of March 19th, 2021 TikTok glitched.
It was like all the videos with one million or more likes just popped onto your ‘For You’ page. People you had never seen before - celebrities and others that you don't have any interest in but the algorithm placed them on your feed.
The glitch in the algorithm came out because of this event:
6 Asian Women Killed in Horrific Shooting Rampage
TikTok wanted to calm down the community because many social media apps are oppressive to minorities and are known for avoiding conflict in general.This is Marcus Dipaola. He’s an ex-media reporter who makes videos about the recent issues and politics. Go check him out. He does a great job with explaining things in a way you like to learn about politics and global issues that if a different person told you about the same thing you would have no interest in.
- Don't take me for a joykiller but I find it hypocritical that people eat up Asian culture like its candy but as soon as the #stopasianhate hashtag shows up in their 'For You' page they just skip it.