4 attorneys to join Ellison’s prosecution team on pro bono basis in Floyd case
In this Wednesday, May 27, 2020, file photo, Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison answers questions during a news conference in St. Paul, Minn., about the investigation into the death of George Floyd, who died May 25, while in the custody of Minneapolis police officers. Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz said Sunday, May 31, that he decided Ellison needs to lead the case.[AP/ John Autey, Pioneer Press]
Monday, Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison announced that four attorneys would join his team on a pro bono basis in the prosecution of the four former police officers charged in the death of George Floyd.
The attorneys new to the prosecution include Neal Katyal, Lola Velázquez-Aguilu, Jerry Blackwell and Steve Schleicher.
"Out of respect for Judge Cahill’s gag order, I will say simply that I’ve put together an exceptional team with experience and expertise across many disciplines. We are united in our responsibility to pursue justice in this case," Ellison said.
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Attorneys from Ellison’s office and the Hennepin County Attorney’s Office are also involved in the prosecution of Derek Chauvin, Tou Thao, Thomas Lane and J Alexander Keung.
According to the attorney general’s office, Katyal is a partner at the international law firm Hogan Lovells.
Velázquez-Aguilu is the litigation and investigation counsel for Medtronic. She also served as a prosecutor for the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Minnesota.
Blackwell is the founding partner, CEO and chairman of Blackwell Burke. In June, he won the posthumous pardon for Max Mason, who was wrongly convicted of rape in connection to the Duluth lynchings of 1920.
Schleicher is currently a partner at Maslon LLp and is a former prosecutor with the U.S. Attorney’s Office and Minnesota Attorney General’s Office. Schleicher also led the prosecution of Danny Heinrich, the man responsible for kidnapping and murdering Jacob Wetterling.