Media attorney: It's time to release names of Chauvin jurors

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — A coalition of news media outlets has asked the judge who oversaw the trial of Derek Chauvin to release the identities of jurors who convicted him in the death of George Floyd, saying there is no known threat to juror safety that would warrant keeping their names sealed.

Chauvin was found guilty of murder and manslaughter in April and was sentenced to 22 1/2 years.

Attorneys for the coalition, which includes The Associated Press, asked Judge Peter Cahill in a court filing Wednesday to immediately unseal the identities of the jurors as well as the prospective juror list, juror profiles, questionnaires and unredacted juror forms. Cahill kept the jurors' identities secret, but said he would make their names public when he deemed it safe.

Attorney Leita Walker said the media and public have a right to information about a jury. She acknowledged this case was high profile, but said anonymous juries are rare and only allowed in exceptional circumstances, such as in cases involving gangs or organized crime.

Walker wrote that Chauvin's trial is over “and there is no way that jurors’ fears of intimidation, harassment, or violence can unfairly impact their deliberations.” She also wrote that the coalition knows of no threat to any juror or prospective juror, noting that two jurors and an alternate have already come forward.

She said the court's desire to protect jurors from unwanted publicity or harassment are not grounds to keep their identities sealed under law.