Judge Peter Cahill sent out the jury and admonished a witness Tuesday for her argumentative behavior with a defense attorney for Minneapolis Police Officer Derek Chauvin and the court.
Genevieve Hansen, a 27-year-old Minneapolis firefighter with state and national EMT certifications, stood witness Tuesday, testifying about Chauvin’s arrest and detainment of George Floyd.
Hansen said she tried to offer medical assistance to Floyd, who later died, but was denied by officers.
When she was cross-examined by Eric Nelson, Chauvin’s attorney, Hansen’s demeanor reportedly “changed.”
The Daily Mail reported on the exchange and admonishment of the witness by Judge Cahill (emphasis added):
But soon after Hansen’s demeanor changed as she was cross examined by Chauvin’s attorney Eric Nelson, who asked if she would describe bystanders at the scene of Floyd’s arrest as upset or angry.
Hansen replied: ‘I don’t know if you’ve seen anybody be killed, but it’s upsetting.’
At this point Judge Peter Cahill stepped in and cautioned Hansen for being argumentative, instructing her to ‘just answer his questions’.
During the questioning Hansen refused to believe Nelson when he said medics had been called five minutes before she arrived on the scene and got frustrated when he pointed out that she called officer Tou Thao a b***h and as he quizzed her on her ability to do her job as an EMT.
As tensions continued to mount Cahill sent the jury out for the day, shutting down proceedings while instructing the witness and counsel to remain.
In an extraordinary dressing down the judge turned to an increasingly combative Hansen and told her in no uncertain terms: ‘I’m advising you do not argue with counsel and specifically do not argue with the court.
‘You will not argue with the court, you will not argue with counsel. Answer the questions, do not volunteer information that is not requested. Are we clear on this?’
He then instructed Hansen to come back tomorrow at 9.30am
Testy exchange b/w Judge Cahill and witness Genevieve Hansen after jury leaves
Judge: "I'm advising you do not argue with the counsel and the court… ⁰you will not argue with the court"
She says: "I was finishing my answer."
Judge says "I will determine" when you finish. pic.twitter.com/8D8f7kgGqG
— Tasneem N (@TasneemN) March 30, 2021
“Chauvin was one of four arresting officers who detained Floyd in May after receiving a report of a man passing fake money at a convenience store. While detaining Floyd, Chauvin kneeled on Floyd’s neck for nearly nine minutes,” The Daily Wire noted Thursday. “Chauvin’s attorneys argue that Floyd’s drug use was a crucial factor in his death. The Hennepin County medical examiner reported after Floyd’s autopsy that the deceased had potentially lethal levels of drugs in his system.”
Chauvin is standing trial for second-degree murder, third-degree murder, and second-degree manslaughter in Floyd’s death. The former officer can be found guilty of all, some, or none of the charges, since they are all separate.
According to The Associated Press, Chauvin, who has no criminal history, is likely looking at “serving about 12 1/2 years whether he is convicted of second or third-degree murder.” The manslaughter charge, which has the lowest burden of proof, “means a maximum of just 10 years behind bars if convicted.”
WATCH:
The judge castigates Genevieve Clara Hansen, tells her to "not argue with counsel, and specifically do not argue with the court" pic.twitter.com/S8n80LRN6M
— Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) March 30, 2021