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Former Minneapolis Police Officer Derek Chauvin was denied his request for public counsel by the Minnesota Supreme Court as he appealed his conviction and 22-and-a-half-year sentence for the murder on Wednesday by George Floyd.
Chauvin had previously said the only money he had was prison pay when he filed an appeal on his own behalf last month asking for a delay in the process until he could get a public defender. The Minnesota Public Defender’s Office previously determined Chauvin to be ineligible.
Chauvin said the Minnesota Police and Peace Officers Association legal defense fund paid his legal fees during his trial but was no longer obligated after his conviction.
Judges reviewed his debts and assets on Wednesday and found that he had failed to establish that he was entitled to a public defender, Chief Justice Lorie Gildea wrote. He could bring in a public defender in the future if he is unable to pay a lawyer, the court said.
DEREK CHAUVIN APPEALS FOR MURDER IN DEATH OF GEORGE FLOYD, WILL REPRESENT HIMSELF
Defense attorney Eric Nelson, left, and accused former Minneapolis Police Officer Derek Chauvin speak to Hennepin County Judge Peter Cahill at the Hennepin County Courthouse in Minneapolis, April 15, 2021.
(TV Court via Associated Press)
Chauvin gave 14 reasons for his appeal, saying the trial should have been moved from Hennepin County where Floyd was killed because of publicity and the jury should have been sequestered, among other things.
Chauvin was convicted in April of unintentional second degree murder, third degree murder and second degree manslaughter for the death of George Floyd on May 25, 2020. Chauvin knelt on Floyd’s neck when arrested for more than nine minutes.
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The former officer also faces federal charges for violating Floyd’s civil rights. He pleaded not guilty.
Three other former officers face charges in connection with Floyd’s death.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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