But thanks to an obscure legal doctrine, the jury was also allowed to hear testimony aimed at humanizing George Floyd. Written By Jack Rice. Over the course of more than two weeks the jury heard extensive testimony about George Floyd's health problems and struggles with drug addiction. Copyright © 2021 Interactive One, LLC. “It remains very odd in the law — I don’t think any other state would allow this kind of thing,” said Ted Sampell-Jones, a professor at the Mitchell Hamline School of Law. The trial ruled that the prosecution could present the victim as a human being, as long as it did not become character evidence or invoke undue sympathy. Chuck Ramsay, a Minneapolis criminal defense attorney, went further, calling the doctrine "damning to the defense" because it can provide "undue sympathy" for the victim. This process enables all aspects of the Whole System to be documented and measured for continuous improvement and advancement of competencies in emotional care. 4. The Supreme Court ruled that prosecutors could present evidence that a murder victim was “not just bones and sinews covered with flesh, but was imbued with the spark of life. Instead they are part of a limited type of evidence allowed in criminal trials in Minnesota meant to show that a … When the man, George Graham, finally skidded into a ditch, Officer Russell approached and was shot in the chest. He was a husband and father. He was caught hours later and was charged with first-degree murder and other crimes. The court ruled that prosecutors can present evidence that a murder victim was “not just bones and sinews covered with flesh, but was imbued with the spark of life." III. Chauvin’s defense attorneys are expected to claim Floyd’s drug use played a larger role in his death than the former Minneapolis police officer kneeling on his neck while he was handcuffed for about nine minutes. Presumably, that testimony would include commentary on Floyd’s past drug use, which would open up the opportunity for defense lawyers to cross-examine those witnesses on the topic — something that may not bode well for the prosecution’s efforts to frame Floyd in a positive light. In the opening statement of Mr. Graham’s trial, the prosecutor broke down in tears as he discussed emotional details of the victim’s personal life. The Spark of Life Model of Care is now also taking root in many other fields of human endeavour such as palliative care, education and trauma recovery. There are Spark of Life Master Practitioners in 12 countries on 5 continents implementing the Spark of Life Whole System. Normally, when jurors are weighing the guilt or innocence of a defendant, they will not hear much about the victim’s life. Through tears, she described how they met at the Salvation Army, when she was visiting her son’s father and where Mr. Floyd was working as a security guard (not staying there, as previously reported). One of them centered on the so-called “spark of life” doctrine ahead of the anticipated reference to George Floyd‘s prior drug use during the trial. Justice For George Floyd: Ruling On Derek Chauvin’s ‘Prolonged’ Kneeling Could Mean Longer Prison Sentence, Your email will be shared with newsone.com and subject to its, The first three jurors were selected Tuesday, dropped in October on a legal technicality, Historic $10 Million Settlement For Andre Hill’s Police Killing In Columbus Is Called ‘The Right Thing’, Life Sentence Over Weed Conviction Upheld Is For ‘Habitual Offender’ In Mississippi, Jail Phone Records Reveal Ahmaud Arbery’s Accused Murderer Suggested Killing Him Was A ‘Good Deed’. The Supreme Court ruled that prosecutors could present evidence that a murder victim was “not just bones and sinews covered with flesh, but was imbued with the spark of life. A unique “spark of life” doctrine in Minnesota allows prosecutors to introduce evidence about George Floyd’s life in the trial of Derek Chauvin, the former Minneapolis police officer … 3. Hennepin County District Judge Peter Cahill ruled that Floyd’s criminal history is not allowed to be introduced as evidence. Today in the Chauvin trial during pretrial motions, Judge Cahill asked about "Spark of Life" evidence. Jury selection in the Derek Chauvin murder trial resumed Wednesday morning, but not before the prosecution and defense attorneys debated a series of motions that were introduced. Chauvin, who turns 45 later this month, stands charged with second-degree unintentional murder and second-degree manslaughter. However, the Hennepin County medical examiner determined that Floyd’s cause of death was “homicide” due to “cardiopulmonary arrest complicating law enforcement subdual, restraint, and neck compression,” which is consistent with what Chauvin was shown doing on the widely seen video from the fateful day. “He didn’t have the same kind of bounce,” Ms. Ross said. It is unique to Minnesota courtrooms and criminal trials. The defense objected to the addition of these personal details, saying the prosecution was invoking the sympathy of the jury. March 10, 2021. Images released recently by Northwestern University scientists of tiny light flashes signaling the moment of human conception are evocative … In that case, a man who had escaped from federal custody led Officer Bruce Russell on a high speed car chase. Hennepin County District Court Judge Peter Cahill Wednesday morning decided to allow “spark of life” evidence on behalf of the prosecution in the highly-anticipated trial of former Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin, but warned prosecutors not to go too far. The first three jurors were selected Tuesday, one day after Cahill announced he was considering charging the Chauvin with an additional third-degree murder charge that was dropped in October on a legal technicality. Spark of Life Evidence. Unlike most everything else the jury will hear at trial, "spark-of-life" testimony isn't evidence, so it's tightly controlled by the judge and carries risk for both the prosecution and the defense. Hennepin County District Court Judge Peter Cahill Wednesday morning decided to allow “spark of life” evidence on behalf of the prosecution in the highly-anticipated trial of former Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin, but warned prosecutors not to go too far. Part of the testimony of Mr. Floyd’s girlfriend, Courteney Ross, on April 1 also fell under the spark-of-life doctrine. Peter D'Abrosca. He could also have a third-degree murder charge reinstated after it was dropped in October on a legal technicality. In the trial of Derek Chauvin, George Floyd’s brother, Philonise Floyd, is expected to be the main spark-of-life witness and will show pictures of him when he was younger and discuss his close relationship with his mother. Six others were dismissed. He was so overcome that in the middle of his statement, he requested a recess to collect himself. Most states view that kind of testimony irrelevant or prejudicial. A memorial in the lobby at the Chicago Avenue Fire Arts Center near George Floyd Square. Chauvin’s attorney announced Monday that Minneapolis police officers in January were searching the police vehicle that Floyd never entered when they found chewed-up pills and one full pill that they claim had Floyd’s DNA on it. All Rights Reserved. Through tears, she described how … Evidence from International Spark of Life Leaders Each international organisation implementing the Spark of Life Philosophy and Whole System is conducting a systematic evaluation of its outcomes. Officer Russell died almost immediately, but Mr. Graham escaped. Floyd’s younger brother, Philonise Floyd, took the stand on Monday to share some personal reminisces and reflections, which … “It’s so hard to lose a parent that you love like that.”, At a pretrial hearing, Matthew Frank, a prosecutor, explained the importance of the inclusion of spark-of-life witnesses: “This puts some, you know, personal nature back into the case for somebody who’s treated so impersonally, unfortunately, by the system.”, https://www.nytimes.com/2021/04/12/us/spark-of-life-witness-george-floyd-brother.html. Derek Chauvin’s Lawyers Ask About Black Lives Matter As First Jurors Selected, The ‘Derek Chauvin Trial’: Reminding Mainstream Media George Floyd Is Not Accused Of Murder. Peter D'Abrosca. March 11, 2021. The prosecution wants to have witnesses take the stand and testify about Floyd’s personal character, which would be considered as “spark of life” evidence. Ted Sampsell-Jones, a law professor at Minnesota’s Mitchell Hamline School of Law discusses the doctrine on [Un]Common Law. … 'Spark of life' evidence could backfire in Floyd case Using sympathetic descriptions of George Floyd's life could create an unbalanced trial and even end up helping the defense. The “spark of life” legal doctrine allowed jurors to hear testimony meant to humanize George Floyd during the Derek Chauvin trial for murder. They were described as a woman of color and two white men. Former Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin wouldn't want me on his jury. She described Mr. Floyd’s close relationship with his mother, and how devastated he was when she died. On the Eastern coast of Canada, there is evidence of an event that may well have been the spark that started the evolution of animals. That would be relevant the video of Chauvin kneeling on Floyd in which police are shown banding together to protect the defendant from the bystanders who witnessed the incident on May 25. The district court did not err in admitting into evidence a spark of life photograph because the State did not use the photograph to invoke undue sympathy for the victim or inflame the jury’s passions. The process of selecting a jury has been given three weeks, with opening statements scheduled to begin no later than March 29. potential prejudicial nature of “spark of life” evidence it is appropriate that the State be required to disclose pre-trial what, if any “spark of life” evidence the State intends to introduce so that Counsel for Defendant may, if necessary, make appropriate objections. OpenSubtitles2018.v3 [30] No evidence was adduced in support of appellant Sparkes ' allegation. In Minnesota, this is where the prosecution presents evidence, usually as their last witness, to humanize their "victim." The Washington Post reported that Floyd “spent years using street drugs” and an autopsy found he “had a large amount of fentanyl, a small amount of methamphetamine and THC — the active ingredient in marijuana — in his blood” at the time of his death. “We’re all familiar with the ‘spark of life’ doctrine – that essentially, like you say, this is not just a person who we … The prosecution wants to have witnesses take the stand and testify about Floyd’s personal character, which would be considered as “spark of life” evidence. "The 'spark of life' doctrine is controversial because it violates the foundational principle of relevance in evidence law," said Ted Sampsell-Jones, a law professor at Mitchell Hamline School of Law in St. Paul, Minnesota. The State contends that the photograph was admissible spark of life evidence. With that as the backdrop, Chauvin’s lawyers and lawyers with the Minnesota Attorney General’s Office squared off Wednesday morning about what kind of evidence will be permitted in the murder trial. Mr. Graham was sentenced to life in prison. The district court did not err by denying appellant’s motion for a mistrial Ms. Ross said the two of them liked to explore the city, pray together or go out to eat. The court ruled that prosecutors can present evidence that a murder victim was “not just bones and sinews covered with flesh, but was imbued with the spark of life." Part of the testimony of Mr. Floyd’s girlfriend, Courteney Ross, on April 1 also fell under the spark-of-life doctrine. The lawyers also argued Wednesday morning over whether any reference to “the blue line of silence” would be permitted. Officer Russell was 28 and was approaching his one-year anniversary on the force when he was killed. The judge and the attorneys need to find as many as 16 jurors, including four alternates. The Supreme Court ruled that prosecutors could present evidence that a murder victim was “not just bones and sinews covered with flesh, but was imbued with the spark of life. Chauvin has pleaded not guilty to murder and manslaughter charges. "The 'spark of life' doctrine is controversial because it violates the foundational principle of relevance in evidence law," said Mitchell Hamline School of Law professor Ted Sampsell-Jones. Minnesota is different, thanks to a 1985 case where the victim was a police officer. But Chauvin's trial should be fair, and Hennepin County District Judge Peter Cahill's decision to allow prosecutors to present "spark of life" evidence makes a fair trial unlikely. “It was an adventure, always,” she said. 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