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.
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HAHAHAHAHHA!!! You must be NEW to America~! This drug dealer is a Black Democrat most likely, so he is UNTOUCHABLE!
Thank you! 2nd posted reply and you nailed it. Of course, this is Free Republic and not some Jucidial Liberal Moshpit that requires you to check your reason at the door.
Agree
I thought the CHINESE were putting MILLIONS of COUNTERFEIT bills in our country! Was his fake $20.00 part of this??
I thought the CHINESE were putting MILLIONS of COUNTERFEIT bills in our country! Was his fake $20.00 part of this??
My thought also. If he did testify, he likely would help the defense.
Interesting. Hadn’t heard that. Thanks for posting.
Whole reason to call the police...fake $20 at grocery and they asked him to stay around..he left, with no change.
That sure is what today's testimony from Floyd's girlfriend appears to have implied.
plus..she took the same pills he did in early May and told the FBI she “felt like she was dying”....trial is a farce, this cop gettin railroaded...
Agreed. He'd be invoking after every question. Would be damaging, at least subconsciously, for the jury to hear that.
However, the guy's attorney has asked the court to squash any subpoena for his client to testify. The way courts are these days, I'd bet the judge grants the request knowing either way, Mr. Hall would be bad for the prosecutors.
I would imagine he would be compelled to show up, just so the defense can have him take the 5th in front of the jury. Also, if convicted, surely this would play at the Appellate level, if/when Chauvin appeals that conviction.
George Floyd’s Friend and ‘Key Witness’ in Chauvin Trial Invokes 5th Amendment, Declines to Testify
“has asked the court to squash a subpoena calling on him to testify”
Doesn’t that make a mess?
“However, the guy’s attorney has asked the court to squash any subpoena for his client to testify. The way courts are these days, I’d bet the judge grants the request knowing either way, Mr. Hall would be bad for the prosecutors.”
The trial judge might quash it, but would it stand? Defense would surely seek mandamus
George Floyd’s Friend and ‘Key Witness’ in Chauvin Trial Invokes 5th Amendment, Declines to Testify
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I bet Mrs Hill , the other person in the car, will also plead the 5th
since GF girlfriend also said that she got drugs from her too
>Because he gave Mr. Floyd the fentanyl?
Exactly. The defense basically had George’s wife or girlfriend say that the pills came from either person in the car with him.
. The prosecution witnesses have, so far, only been trying to play on emotions
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Tell me how you felt
Tell me did it upset you
Hey 9 year old can you take the stand and cry
We aren't living in those times anymore (if we ever were).
I don't think so. I came across a background story on the Judge a couple of days ago. Quick read. White, pre-retirement (64), Pawlenty appointee. Doesn't strike me as a quasher.
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