Scott Johnson, a Power Line contributor and Alpha News board member, appeared on Tucker Carlson Tonight Wednesday to share his insight into former Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin’s trial.
Johnson, an attorney who has been reporting daily on the trial, told Carlson he believes the prosecution will “rest their hopes” on a third-degree murder conviction for Chauvin, a charge that Judge Peter Cahill reinstated Thursday morning.
Even though the jury “sits as judges of the facts,” Johnson contemplated whether it is possible for a jury in such a high-profile case to disregard the “mob factor” that presented itself last summer and is now seen in the extra security measures around the Hennepin County Courthouse.
“The mob factor is visibly manifested in the protection of the courthouse,” Johnson noted. “In the event of a not-guilty verdict, the mob would do its thing as it did last summer.”
One prospective juror was dismissed after expressing concern for his family’s safety if his identity were to be published.
“It’s hard for me to believe that a juror [wouldn’t] have the possible secondary effects of a not-guilty verdict — if they were to think that evidence warranted it — on his or her mind when they go to deliberate,” Johnson reflected.
“The courthouse will be protected … the police precinct headquarters will also be protected, but I’m not so sure about the rest of the city,” he said.
Last June, Carlson mentioned, 60% of Americans in a USA Today poll said George Floyd’s death was murder. Now, after more facts have emerged, the percentage has dropped to 36%.
“In other words, the question of whether George was murdered is in fact disputed by a majority of Americans,” Carlson said.
WATCH:
Tucker Carlson & @scottwjohnson Discussing The Mob Factor In The Derek Chauvin Trial pic.twitter.com/Sy9pn7FSV7
— The Columbia Bugle 🇺🇸 (@ColumbiaBugle) March 11, 2021
Rose Williams
Rose Williams is an assistant editor for Alpha News.
