The Chauvin Trial and the Ongoing Quest for Justice

In this image from video, defense attorney Eric Nelson (L) and defendant, former Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin, address Hennepin County Judge Peter Cahill during motions before the court in the trial of Chauvin, at the Hennepin County Courthouse in Minneapolis, Minn., on April 15, 2021. Court TV via AP

Commentary

This is the most difficult column I have ever written. Like so many other Americans, I’m having a difficult time keeping my emotions in check about the trial of Derek Chauvin. But one of the most important human faculties is the faculty of reason, and so I'll try to keep my emotions in check and offer what I hope are some reasonable perspectives on various aspects of this tragic case.