Judge rebukes Congresswoman Waters' remarks about Chauvin trial, raises appeals concern

Hennepin County District Judge Peter Cahill expressed his disapproval on Monday regarding remarks made recently by U.S. Rep. Maxine Waters about the trial of former police officer Derek Chauvin. 

"I wish elected officials would stop talking about this case, especially in a manner that is disrespectful to the rule of law and to the judicial branch and our function," Cahill stated after the jury had already been sequestered to start deliberations. "If they want to give their opinions they should do so ... in a manner that is consistent with their oath to the Constitution." 

Cahill made the remarks after Chauvin defense attorney Eric Nelson claimed that the California Democratic congresswoman's statements might have prejudiced the jury and represent grounds for mistrial, the outlet reported.

While the judge rejected the attorney's mistrial motion, Cahill noted that the lawmaker's words could supply the defense with "something on appeal that may result in this whole trial being overturned."

Waters, a California Democrat, showed up over the weekend and expressed her solidarity with protesters in Brooklyn Center, Minnesota on the seventh night of demonstrations since the death of Daunte Wright.

"We're looking for a guilty verdict," the congresswoman said regarding the trial of Derek Chauvin in connection with the death of George Floyd last year, but if there is not a guilty verdict, "we cannot go away," she said.

When someone asked Waters what protestors should do if that does not occur, the congresswoman said "I didn't hear you," but then when asked what protesters should do, Waters said: "Well, we gotta 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."