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George Floyd’s Friend and ‘Key Witness’ in Chauvin Trial Invokes 5th Amendment, Declines to Testify
theepochtimes.com ^ | 04.01.2021 | TOM OZIMEK

Posted on 04/01/2021 10:26:31 AM PDT by rxsid

George Floyd’s Friend and ‘Key Witness’ in Chauvin Trial Invokes 5th Amendment, Declines to Testify

A self-described key witness to the death of George Floyd—a longtime friend who was in the car with Floyd when police approached him—said through a lawyer that, if forced to testify about the incident, he’ll invoke his Fifth Amendment right against self-incrimination and remain silent.

Morries Lester Hall, who in a June 2020 interview with The New York Times called himself “a key witness to the cops murdering George Floyd” and said he was “going to be his voice” going forward, has asked the court to squash a subpoena calling on him to testify in the trial against Derek Chauvin, the former Minneapolis police officer accused of murder.

Hall made his request via notice filed by the Hennepin County Public Defender’s Office (pdf) on Wednesday.

“Mr. Morries Lester Hall, through undersigned counsel, hereby provides notice to all parties in this matter that if called to testify he will invoke his Fifth Amendment privilege against self-incrimination,” said a notice filed by Assistant Public Defender Adrienne Cousins. “Therefore, counsel for Mr. Hall respectfully moves this court to quash the subpoena … and release Mr. Hall from any obligations therein.”

It is unclear why Hall doesn’t want to testify at the trial.

Floyd and Hall were both from Houston, Texas, and met through a Minneapolis pastor, Hall told The New York Times in the interview. Hall said he and Floyd had been in touch every day since 2016 and he considered Floyd a “confidant and mentor.”

Hall was in the passenger’s seat of the vehicle Floyd was in when he was approached by Minneapolis police officers on suspicion of using a fake $20 bill at nearby Cup Foods. One soundless clip captured by a Cup Foods security camera showed Floyd dressed in a black tank top approaching a cashier, making cheerful conversation, and putting his arm around a woman.

...


TOPICS: Crime/Corruption; Culture/Society; Government; News/Current Events; US: Minnesota
KEYWORDS: antifa; blm; chauvin; chauvintrial; derekchauvin; donaldwilliams; ericnelson; floyd; georgefloyd; hall; hennepin; hennepincounty; michaelpadden; minneapolis; minnesota; morrieshall; morrieslesterhall; pleadthe5th; witness
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To: SecAmndmt

The only thing that can help the defense is a promise to help all of jurors move to saner areas of the country and find them jobs.


21 posted on 04/01/2021 10:37:48 AM PDT by Little Ray (The Government is always its own largest and most important Special Interest. .)
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To: rxsid

He is damned if he does and damned if he doesn’t testify.


22 posted on 04/01/2021 10:39:01 AM PDT by Rebelbase
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To: SecAmndmt

I not sure they have much to go on. They can argue to the court that he be compelled to testify. Not sure how that works when you have a an amendment to the US Constitution clearly stating that you don’t.

There might some work around since he hasn’t been charged or something. But it’s apparent that he thinks or knows that the if he gets up there, he’s fried chicken.

Either way, Minneapolis will be on fire in short order. I hope the citizens are proud of who they voted for.


23 posted on 04/01/2021 10:39:35 AM PDT by qaz123
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To: All

Well he probably doesn’t want to admit to being on drugs too. I can’t say I blame him


24 posted on 04/01/2021 10:40:22 AM PDT by escapefromboston (Free Assange )
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To: rxsid
"... is only willing to “be his voice” so long as he’s not under oath..."

Yes, like Zuckerberg (FaceBook) and Dorsey (Twitter). It is a Leftist thing.

Bill Whittle addresses this Leftist phenomenon in his excellent video: The Stolen Election Part 2: (Stoners and Reptiles) in which he provides a "translation" for what both Zuckerberg and Dorsey say in their congressional testimony under oath. (The link will take you right to that part, but the entire 22 min video is stellar and noteworthy, particularly the part where he discusses how evil Google is and their role in all of this.

Truly disturbing, and frightening. And not hyperbole.

25 posted on 04/01/2021 10:40:26 AM PDT by rlmorel ("I’d rather enjoy a risky freedom than a safe servitude." Robby Dinero, USMC Veteran, Gym Owner)
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To: rxsid

Autopsy shows Floyd had 11 ng/ml fentanyl in his body. Note that 3 ng / mL will cause death


26 posted on 04/01/2021 10:43:17 AM PDT by Lee25 ( )
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https://www.businessinsider.com.au/derek-chauvin-minneapolis-police-background-life-2020-6


27 posted on 04/01/2021 10:43:55 AM PDT by TakebackGOP
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To: StAnDeliver

The way our “courts” have behaved as of late, on average, and with MN being more liberal than average...I wouldn’t be surprised if the judge simply grants the request to quash the subpoena of the friend to testify.


28 posted on 04/01/2021 10:44:02 AM PDT by rxsid (HOW CAN A NATURAL BORN CITIZEN'S STATUS BE "GOVERNED" BY GREAT BRITAIN? - Leo Donofrio (2009))
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To: rxsid

twitter and talking heads having a meltdown

It’s racist

saying drug use doesn’t matter

YES It does ..LOL


29 posted on 04/01/2021 10:44:27 AM PDT by janetjanet998
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To: Little Ray

“and find them jobs.”

You think most of them want jobs?


30 posted on 04/01/2021 10:44:57 AM PDT by alternatives? (If our borders are not secure, why fund an army?)
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To: ScubaDiver
"FWIW, he needs use or transactional immunity."

Right, but they aren't going to extend crap to him -- unless my scenario plays out and he blurts (which if it happens, watch Smellison poop himself live in the courtroom).

They want this minor dude like a brick wall because he can reduce George to a worthless husk of a man (which is exactly what he was); and if that jury is as much female POC as was reported, you and we know what they really think of the "Georges" in their world. There goes Murder2 for sure.

31 posted on 04/01/2021 10:45:27 AM PDT by StAnDeliver (Eric Coomer of Dominion Voting Systems Is The Blue Dress)
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To: Lee25

came out in court today that in March he spent 5 days in the hospital from a drug overdose...


32 posted on 04/01/2021 10:46:03 AM PDT by basalt
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To: qaz123
"Either way, Minneapolis will be on fire in short order. I hope the citizens are proud of who they voted for."

A point that needs repeating, and can never be lost in the chaos that is to come.

33 posted on 04/01/2021 10:47:17 AM PDT by rxsid (HOW CAN A NATURAL BORN CITIZEN'S STATUS BE "GOVERNED" BY GREAT BRITAIN? - Leo Donofrio (2009))
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To: rxsid

Another interesting tidbit from this morning is when Floyd’s girlfriend was testifying, on cross the defense got her to admit that in Floyd’s cellphone, she was listed as ‘MOMMA.’

Why is that important? The media made a big deal about how Floyd kept calling out for his ‘mother’ by yelling, ‘Momma, Momma’ as he was being ‘murdered’ by MPD. He wasn’t calling for his mother. He was calling for his girlfriend.


34 posted on 04/01/2021 10:47:28 AM PDT by ScubaDiver (Reddit refugee.)
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To: alternatives?

Normalcy bias.
I can’t imagine not having a job and projected that on to the jurors.


35 posted on 04/01/2021 10:49:03 AM PDT by Little Ray (The Government is always its own largest and most important Special Interest. .)
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To: basalt

came out in court today that in March he spent 5 days in the hospital from a drug overdose...


big news

she also said that he was foaming at the mouth and said his stomach hurt

JUST LIKE IN THE POLICE BODY CAMS

Lefties on Twiiter and YV talking heads going insane...they are not having a good day


36 posted on 04/01/2021 10:50:00 AM PDT by janetjanet998
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To: rxsid

The defense needs to call him anyway so the jury can hear him invoke when that ask him about taking drugs that day


37 posted on 04/01/2021 10:50:27 AM PDT by shotgun (welfare)
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To: ScubaDiver

Yep. I remember that voice calling for MAMA, it was heartbreaking. He also kept calling for MAURICE, which I assumed was a brother, father. Come to find out today, MAMA was his girlfriend (also the name on his speed dial) who engaged for three years with George in drug usage. Maurice was his drug dealer.


38 posted on 04/01/2021 10:50:58 AM PDT by Toespi
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To: rxsid

EVERYONE taking the 5th SHOULD show up in PERSON to do that!


39 posted on 04/01/2021 10:52:34 AM PDT by Ann Archy (Abortion....... The HUMAN Sacrifice to the god of Convenience.)
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To: G Larry
“I don’t believe he can avoid questions that don’t risk incriminating him.”

Unless granted immunity he can take the 5th on any question asked. Even if they just ask his name.

40 posted on 04/01/2021 10:54:19 AM PDT by circlecity
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