South Hennepin News

In a hearing regarding the death of George Floyd, Hennepin County District Court Judge Peter Cahill disqualified State Attorney Mike Freeman and others in his office from the case.

According to reports, Freeman and the attorneys met with Chief Hennepin County Medical Examiner Dr. Andrew Baker two days after Floyd’s death. Baker was the examiner who conducted the autopsy on Floyd. In the hearing, Judge Cahill said Freeman and the other attorneys’ performances were “sloppy” and “they are off the case.”

“There is not a county or state in this country that has not had publicity in the George Floyd case,” Cahill said in the hearing, referring to the case as high profile.

The judge also said that he wouldn't allow any of Floyd's criminal history to be added to the case, citing that Floyd's past history would be irrelevant.

The judge said he would not admit into evidence any criminal records involving Floyd from when he lived in Texas.

“What possible relevance could that have?” Cahill said in the hearing.

Additionally, prosecutors released a statement about the case.

“Here, all four defendants worked together to murder Floyd: Chauvin, Kueng and Lane pinned Floyd face-down, while Thao stopped the crowd from intervening, enabling the other defendants to maintain their positions. Defendants also discussed and coordinated their actions throughout the incident,” prosecutors wrote in a court filing.