Jurors in Ex-Officer's High-Profile Trial Face Heavy Burden

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) -- The huge task for jurors at the trial of a white former police officer charged in the death of George Floyd showed during jury selection as some would-be jurors said they were unnerved by the very thought of being on the panel.

Opening statements in the Derek Chauvin trial are scheduled for Monday. Join News-Talk 1340 KROC AM/96.9FM and the KROC News app for live coverage, beginning at 8:50 am.

All jurors at all trials feel pressure, knowing their decisions will alter lives. But the weight on jurors in Minneapolis who will hear opening statements Monday is in a whole different category. They are assigned to weigh whether to assign guilt in the death of a Black man that prompted some of the largest protests in U.S. history.

One question is whether the ex-officer, Derek Chauvin, can get a fair trial with so much pressure on jurors and with some potentially fearing the consequences should they acquit.