3 Things To Know Today

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1 Chauvin Murder Case Is In The Hands Of The Jury

Jurors in the Derek Chauvin murder trial will be back today to continue deliberations. The jury wrapped up its first day of deliberations after about four hours. The 12-member panel is weighing whether the former Minneapolis police officer is guilty of murder and manslaughter for the death of George Floyd. Chauvin could get up to 40 years in prison if he's convicted of the top charge of second-degree unintentional murder. During yesterday’s events: The prosecution presented its closing arguments first. Prosecutor Steven Schleicher described in painful detail what Floyd must have been going through as he died. Schleicher also reminded the jury that Floyd cried for help, and cried for his mother while he lay face-down on the pavement. When the defense had their turn, attorney Eric Nelson said Floyd was resisting arrest and escalated the situation when there was a struggle to initially get him in a squad car. Nelson contends Floyd was much bigger and stronger than Chauvin and Chauvin's actions were reasonable. The state had the a chance to rebut the defense arguments one more time before the case was handed to the jury. And the prosecution said attorney Nelson misrepresented the law by implying that the state needs to prove Chauvin's actions were the sole cause of Floyd's death. To that end, Judge Peter Cahill agreed and re-read jury instructions, telling them to disregard anything else they heard. As part of that, Judge Cahill had to address the the comments of Congresswoman Maxine Waters. As we told you yesterday, over the weekend, she told demonstrators in Minnesota to become "more confrontational" if Chauvin isn't found guilty of murder. Chauvin's attorney said in court her comments amounted to "threatening and intimidating the jury" and suggested that a mistrial was necessary. Judge Cahill said he was disappointed with elected officials who have commented on this case before the jury renders a verdict. As for the mistrial? Insiders say it is highly unlikely he will declare a mistrial. The Chauvin case is now in the hands of the jury.

2 Fewer Than 6K Americans Get COVID After Being Fully Vaccinated

The CDC says fewer than six-thousand Americans have contracted COVID-19 after being fully vaccinated. That's out of 84-million Americans who've completed their COVID shots. CDC Director Dr. Rochelle Walensky says these rare "breakthrough cases" involve people who've contracted the illness more than 14 days after their second shot. Dr. Walensky says none of the patients has gotten severely ill or died, which she says indicates the COVID vaccines are working “as intended.” Meanwhile, more than a quarter of Americans are fully vaccinated against the coronavirus. Numbers from the CDC show over 85-million people have received all of the necessary shots as of yesterday – and roughly 40% of the country has rolled up their sleeves at least once. As for what’s coming? "Things are about to get a whole lot easier." That's how White House COVID adviser Andy Slavitt sees it. With everyone 16 and older now eligible, the White House says that challenges aside, following protocols is the way to succeed.

3 Former VP Walter Mondale Has Passed

Former Vice President Walter Mondale has died at the age of 93. Mondale served under President Jimmy Carter from 1977 to 1981. Before that he was a U.S. Senator from Minnesota. As you might recall, Carter and Mondale were renominated for the Democratic ticket for the 1980 election, but were defeated by Ronald Reagan and running mate George H.W. Bush. But more than that? Mondale went on to run for president himself in the 1984 election, winning the Democratic nomination along with running mate Geraldine Ferraro. Unfortunately for him, the election was a landslide victory for Reagan, who won 49 out of 50 states. Mondale only won his home state of Minnesota and Washington, D.C.


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