Appeals Court: Derek Chauvin can't make oral arguments unless he hires a lawyer

Imprisoned former Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin must hire a lawyer before he can make oral arguments in the appeal of his murder conviction in the death of George Floyd, the Minnesota Court of Appeals said Friday.

"Because (Chauvin) is currently unrepresented in this appeal, oral argument is not permitted," Judge Matthew Johnson wrote. "If (Chauvin) later obtains counsel, however, he may file a motion with this court requesting oral argument."

Chauvin, who is serving 22½ years in prison at Oak Park Heights, claims he is indigent, but state Supreme Court Chief Justice Lorie Skjerven Gildea this week denied his request for an appellate public defender, saying he failed to prove he could not afford a lawyer.

Previously, Hennepin County District Judge Peter Cahill had also denied Chauvin's request for a free appellate lawyer.

Read more: https://www.startribune.com/appeals-court-derek-chauvin-can-t-make-oral-arguments-unless-he-hires-a-lawyer/600104967/