People react after the verdict was read in the Derek Chauvin trial on April 20, 2021 In Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Scott Olson/Getty Images)
OAN Newsroom
UPDATED 1:35 PM PT – Tuesday, May 4, 2021
Legal questions in the Derek Chauvin trial have been raised after a controversial photo of one of its jurors emerged online. The image of Juror #52, Brandon Mitchell, wearing a t-shirt that reads: “Get your knees off our necks,” has been circulating on social media.
BLM Activist Brandon Mitchell Sat on the Chauvin Jury After Claiming He Could Be ‘Impartial’ https://t.co/O9CFCwRc9o
— Ben Owen (@hrkbenowen) May 2, 2021
Mitchell wore the “Black Lives Matter” shirt while attending an event in August 2020, which commemorated the 57th anniversary of Martin Luther King Jr.’s historic speech in Washington D.C. However, the juror told local media his participation in the rally had absolutely nothing to do with the George Floyd case.
“It was for voter turnout for being a part of that — for being able to attend the same location that Martin Luther King gave his speech, the historic moment,” Mitchell said. “Either way, I was going to this event in D.C., whether George Floyd was alive or not.”
STEALTH JUROR: Does Chauvin Have Grounds for Overturning his Conviction? – Turley https://t.co/ARcs5nNdoq
— Jack Posobiec (@JackPosobiec) May 4, 2021
Legal experts have said the defense could use this to justify an appeal or to even possibly push for a mistrial. The judge is likely to re-interview the juror to decide the next steps.
