George Floyd Trial Set For March 2021; Judge Issues Warning

MINNEAPOLIS, MN — Hennepin County Judge Peter Cahill on Monday scheduled the jury trial in the George Floyd case for March 8, 2021. A pretrial hearing is set for Sept. 11.

Cahill also warned prosecutors in court that unless public officials stop discussing the ongoing case in public, he will consider moving the trial to a different location.

Cahill on Monday also scolded Floyd's aunt and uncle — Angela Harrison and Selwyn Jones — for visibly reacting to his statements in court, according to the Washington Post. Jones — who was hurt by the judge's comments — told reporters afterward that he was dealing with emotions from being so near to the ex-cops accused of killing his nephew.

Floyd's death shocked the nation and sparked global protests for racial justice and police reform. Public officials across Minnesota and the United States — including President Donald Trump — have commented on the case.

The Minneapolis City Council has moved to dismantle their police department.

Since their arrests earlier this month, both Thomas Lane and J. Alexander Kueng posted their bails of $750,000 and were released from Hennepin County Jail.

Lane, Kueng, and Tou Thao face one count of aiding and abetting unintentional second-degree murder and aiding and abetting second-degree manslaughter.

Derek Chauvin, 44, of Oakdale — who had his knee on Floyd's neck during the arrest — faces charges of third-degree murder, second-degree manslaughter and second-degree unintentional murder while committing a felony.

Thao remains in custody at Hennepin County Jail, with his bail set at $750,000. Chauvin — who appeared in court Monday over a video call — is being held at a state prison in Oakdale. Chauvin's bail was set at $1,000,000.

In a now-viral video of the arrest, Floyd, 44, is heard telling officers "I can't breathe" while being forced down onto the street. He also asks for water.

Bystanders told Chauvin to get off of him while Thao ordered people to back away from the scene.

Chauvin kept his knee on Floyd's neck for nearly nine minutes even after he went motionless.

A 911 dispatcher watching live squad dashcam video of George Floyd's arrest alerted a police supervisor about the possible use of force at the scene. A recording of the dispatcher's phone call was released by the city of Minneapolis earlier this month.