Following comments from California Democratic Rep. Maxine Waters, Hennepin County Judge Peter Cahill denied a defense motion for mistrial in the George Floyd murder trial, however, he noted that the potential for an appeal may have been created. 

In Brooklyn Center, Minnesota, on Saturday where protests have continued since the death of Daunte Wright, Waters said, “We’re looking for a guilty verdict and we’re looking to see if all of the talk that took place and has been taking place after they saw what happened to George Floyd. If nothing does not happen, then we know that we got to not only stay in the street, but we have got to fight for justice,” according to CNN reports.

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She further added that if the verdict didn’t go desired way, “we got to stay on the street. And we’ve got to get more active, we’ve got to get more confrontational. We’ve got to make sure that they know that we mean business.”

During his remarks, defense attorney Eric Nelson argued that such comments from a lawmaker can taint the judgement of the jury as it is so “pervasive”.

Nelson also noted that the trial had recently been included in two fictional TV shows.  

Although with the start of deliberations, the jury is now sequestered, Nelson believed they should have been since the start of the trial for a fair trial.  

Judge Cahill noted that the Waters comments over the weekend may have created a potential for an appeal if the defense loses this trial.  

“I will give you that Congresswoman Waters, something on appeal that may result in this whole trial being overturned,” Cahill said, CNN reported.

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Past comments on the George Floyd murder trial has been condemned by the judge repeatedly,

“I’m aware of the media reports, and I’m aware Congresswoman Waters was talking specifically about this trial, and about the unacceptability of anything less than a murder conviction,” Cahill said. 

“I wish elected officials would stop talking about this case.”