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A Hennepin County judge ruled that the trial of a man charged in a stabbing last fall can move forward at the fortified Government Center, despite prosecutors arguments that tight security related to Derek Chauvin s murder case could violate the defendant s right to a public trial.
On Tuesday, District Judge Kerry Meyer ordered that the trial of Arnold Benedict Cole, 32, would proceed once an overflow room could be found, from where court observers could watch the proceedings remotely.
Meyer s ruling comes a day after prosecutors made a motion to reconsider, again asking Meyer for a continuance on the grounds that public access to the case was limited by restrictions related to COVID-19 and security measures related to the ongoing murder trial of ex-Minneapolis police officer Chauvin in the death of George Floyd. The defense objected by arguing that delaying the case violated Cole s constitutional right to a speedy trial.
Hennepin County trials to proceed Wednesday, backlog of 41 cases
MINNEAPOLIS (FOX 9) - The Hennepin County Attorney’s Office has decided not to appeal the case of two men awaiting trial, relieving a backlog of 41 defendants in jail awaiting trial.
Prosecutors had argued Tuesday the two men could not receive a public trial under the 6th Amendment due to the onerous precautions of the pandemic and the security restrictions surrounding the trial of former Minneapolis Police officer Derek Chauvin.
Judge Kerry Meyer found despite restrictions, public access would still be afforded, and ordered Tuesday for both cases to proceed. That decision was stayed while the Hennepin County Attorney’s Office considered an appeal by noon Wednesday.
Judge rules trial over Bloomington stabbing can continue at locked-down Government Center over prosecution opposition startribune.com - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from startribune.com Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.
Appeal could delay 41 trials in Hennepin County
MINNEAPOLIS (FOX 9) -
Update: The Hennepin County Attorney’s Office has decided not to appeal the case of two men awaiting trial, relieving a backlog of 41 defendants in jail awaiting trial.
The world is watching the trial of former Minneapolis Police officer Derek Chauvin, but 41 other defendants are waiting in the Hennepin County jail to begin their trials, including a trial set to start Tuesday.
In a ruling from the bench Monday morning, Judge Kerry Meyer said the trials of two defendants should continue as scheduled. That ruling was stayed while prosecutors have until noon Wednesday to consider an appeal.
Hennepin County Courthouse locked down days before Derek Chauvin trial
To ensure a fair trial and for the safety of all involved, court officials are locking down the building beginning Monday. The restrictions will remain for the length of the trial, potentially through the first week of May.
Written By:
Rochelle Olson / Star Tribune | 2:00 pm, Mar. 3, 2021 ×
Izai Dominguez with Hansen Bros. Fence added barbed wire to the fencing around the Hennepin County Government Center as they worked to fortify the buildings in preparation for Derek Chauvin s trial, scheduled to begin Monday, March 8. (TNS / Star Tribune)
MINNEAPOLIS Security was already going to be tight at the Hennepin County Government Center in downtown Minneapolis for upcoming trial of Derek Chauvin in the death of George Floyd.