Derek Chauvin trial, Supreme Court bill, Adam Toledo video: 5 things to know Thursday

Editors
·5 min read

Defense to call at least one more witness in Derek Chauvin murder trial

At least one more witness will take the stand for the defense Thursday in the murder trial of former Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin in the death of George Floyd. The witness will appear after Judge Peter Cahill initially suggested the defense would finish calling witnesses Wednesday and told the prosecution to prepare any rebuttal overnight. However, at the end of the session, Cahill noted at least one more witness was expected to testify. Thursday's witness will follow five hours of testimony Wednesday from Dr. David Fowler, a medical expert for the defense, who said the manner of Floyd's death was "undetermined." Fowler's testimony contradicts that of several prosecution witnesses, who said Floyd died from low oxygen due to law enforcement restraint. Chauvin is charged with second-degree murder, third-degree murder and second-degree manslaughter in Floyd's death in police custody on May 25, 2020.

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Democrats to introduce legislation to expand Supreme Court by four seats

Democrats will introduce a bill to expand the Supreme Court from nine to 13 justices, New York Rep. Mondaire Jones said in a tweet Wednesday night. Jones said he is introducing the Judiciary Act of 2021 with Reps. Jerry Nadler, D-N.Y.; Hank Johnson, D-Ga. and Sen. Ed Markey, D-Mass. Nadler, the chair of the House Judiciary Committee, said during a Wednesday meeting that an announcement would be made Thursday. During that meeting, Rep. Jim Jordan, R-Ohio, interrupted a spirited back and forth between committee members about other legislation to ask about a report in The Intercept on the Democrats' plan. Other Republicans followed suit and spoke about the potential for "court packing." Progressive groups also have spoken out against adding justices to the high court and have been pushing for a number of other ideas. Legislation to expand the court would face an uphill battle in the evenly divided Senate.

Chicago to release body-camera video showing fatal shooting of Adam Toledo

Chicago city officials announced they will release "video and other materials related to" the fatal shooting of 13-year-old Adam Toledo by an officer who chased him into an alley. The decision comes after the Toledo family viewed police body camera video showing the shooting Tuesday. Officials informed the Toledo family, through their attorney, about the planned release of the video, according to a statement from the city's Civilian Office of Police Accountability. The materials released will include bodycam footage, as well as response and arrest reports. Toledo was killed in the early morning hours of March 29. When police arrived on the scene on the city's West Side after eight gunshots were detected, Toledo and a 21-year-old man fled, authorities said. The officer shot Toledo once in the chest after an "armed confrontation," police said. Prosecutors have said the boy was holding a gun when the officer shot him.

US expels Russian diplomats, imposes new round of sanctions

The Biden administration on Thursday announced the expulsion of 10 Russian diplomats and sanctions against nearly three dozen people and companies as it moved to hold the Kremlin accountable for interference in last year's presidential election and the hacking of federal agencies. The sanctions represent the first retaliatory action announced against the Kremlin for the hack, known as the SolarWinds breach. In that intrusion, Russian hackers are believed to have infected widely-used software with malicious code that enabled them to access the networks of at least nine agencies. The measures are intended to send a clear retributive message to Russia and to deter similar acts in the future. They come amid an already tense relationship between the U.S. and Russia, with President Joe Biden telling Russian President Vladimir Putin this week that the U.S. would "act firmly in defense of its national interests."

Suspect in Kristin Smart case to be arraigned

The "prime suspect" in the 25-year-disappearance of California college student Kristin Smart will be arraigned Thursday. Paul Flores, 44, the last person seen with Smart before she vanished in 1996, was taken into custody in the Los Angeles area on Tuesday and has been booked on the charge of murder with zero bail. His father, Ruben Flores, 80, was also arrested at his Arroyo Grande home. Smart, 19, of Stockton, California, vanished in May 1996 while returning to her dorm at California Polytechnic State University in San Luis Obispo after a party. She was seen with Paul Flores, who was a student at the time. Smart's body has not yet been recovered by police, but physical evidence linked to her has been recovered, according to authorities.

Contributing: The Associated Press

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Derek Chauvin trial, Supreme Court bill: 5 things to know Thursday