Day 11: 14th juror seated for Derek Chauvin trial

On Monday, the 14th juror was selected for the Derek Chauvin trial. The court still needs to seat one more and plans to address 12 possible jurors on Tuesday.

Hennepin County Judge Peter Cahill said he wants 15 jurors, but one will be excused next Monday. The reasoning is to make sure the court has 14 seated when opening statements have started.

The juror selected Monday is a white woman in her 20s who works as a social worker.

The jury now consists of the following: eight white people (six women, two men), four Black people (three men, one woman) and two multiracial women.

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Juror No. 118, the newest juror to be seated, is married and recently became a dog owner.

"I started out and decided I want to help people," she said about her career and finding her path in college.

In her work, she has a caseload of about 65 people. She stated she works with people who are in a mental health crisis or having "issues." Her involvement is based on coordinated independent living, meaning she assists people with grocery shopping, helping those who need help getting dressed in the morning and having a therapist visit in-home to her clients.

She was made aware of the $27 million settlement between the city of Minneapolis and George Floyd’s family announced earlier this month. However, she doesn’t believe it will impact her decision-making as a juror.

She saw the viral clip shown "four to five" times from the news only. The woman told the court that she formed a "somewhat negative" opinion on Chauvin initially and a "good and bad" impression of Floyd. The juror also noted she had heard of some past events (such as Chauvin and Floyd possibly knowing each other, Floyd’s past run-ins with police, etc.) that made her think the way she initially did.

State vs. Chauvin trial Day 11: Jury selection enters 3rd week

In regards to the protests and riots, she believes people took advantage of the rioting and looting, which in turn created a negative belief for her. However, she said the protests were positive in bringing the community together.

She said she does not support defunding the police but does believe the police could use some changes and improvements in some areas. The woman said she feels safe when police are in her community.

Cahill said Friday he wanted to select 15 jurors, with 12 to deliberate and three alternates who will deliberate only if needed. But the court also said up to 16 could be chosen.

On Friday, Cahill declined a defense request to delay or move Chauvin’s trial over concerns that a $27 million settlement for Floyd’s family had tainted the jury pool.

It’s unclear which jurors will be the alternates. Legal experts said it’s almost always the last people chosen, but the court said that wouldn’t necessarily be the case for Chauvin’s jury.

The Associated Press contributed to this story.