Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison is under fire for daring to say that he felt a “little bad” for Derek Chauvin because he is “a human being.”
Ellison, who is known for being highly sympathetic to Antifa, was the lead prosecutor in the case against Chauvin.
The controversial mention of Chauvin’s humanity came during a ‘60 minutes’ interview that aired on CBS Sunday night.
Ellison was discussing the range of emotions that he felt when the conviction was handed down, including “gratitude,” “humility,” a “sense of satisfaction,” and compassion for Chauvin.
“He deserved to be convicted,” Minnesota AG Keith Ellison says about Derek Chauvin, found guilty last week of murdering George Floyd. “But I hope we never forget that … everybody in this process is a person,” including the defendant and the victim. https://t.co/Qwq2hXNrQ1 pic.twitter.com/YEyfYsGDJc
— 60 Minutes (@60Minutes) April 25, 2021
“I spent 16 years as a criminal defense lawyer, so I will admit I felt a little bad for the defendant. I think he deserved to be convicted, but he’s a human being,” Ellison said.
“I’m not in any way wavering from my responsibility. But I hope we never forget that people who are defendants in our criminal justice system, that they are human beings,” he added.
When asked about the appropriate punishment for Chauvin, Ellison told 60 Minutes that the state “never wanted revenge against Chauvin… just accountability” and that he did not want a heavy sentence enacted just to make a point.
“I think it is important for the court to not go light or heavy. I don’t know if it’s right for a judge to send a message through a sentence because the sentence should be tailored to the offense, tailored to the circumstances of the case,” he said.
Ellison also admitted that there is no indication that Chauvin was factoring in George Floyd’s race during the incident.
Immediately, leftists on Twitter exploded in fury for Ellison’s “humanization” of the former police officer.
Keith Ellison, the Minnesota Attorney General who led the prosecution of Derek Chauvin, says “I felt a little bad” for Chauvin, and the judge doesn’t need to impose a heavy sentence to send a message. Really? I feel bad for George Floyd, and the judge DOES need to send a message. pic.twitter.com/jqJaJDCZJW
— Mike Sington (@MikeSington) April 26, 2021
I was shocked by Ellison’s comments on 60 minutes.
I hope he is alone in his comment about Chauvin being human.Now George Floyd, now HE was a Human Being.
A gentle hearted, beautiful beingChauvin will always be a monstrous murderer. #TheView
— Jennie (@Jennie56532658) April 26, 2021
When I heard AG Ellison say that I was like dammit here we go again being so damn accepting oooo the #colonizer juju still drinking it I ain’t that forgiving I’ve seen too much in 63 years #Chauvin killed #GeorgeFloyd #nohumanity #icantbreathe #926 pic.twitter.com/ajHMqJDlCi
— SaywhatImeanwhatIsay (@BiggersGail) April 26, 2021
What is wrong with Keith Ellison? Disgraceful.
He needs to watch the video again.
George Floyd prosecutor says he felt BAD for killer cop Derek Chauvin https://t.co/5f5crOmpcz @MailOnline
— Mike Broderick VO (@MikeBroderickVO) April 26, 2021
@keithellison wow I had a ton of respect for you prior to your Chauvin is a human being comment. He’s an inhuman sociopath as no human would have done what he did to George Floyd. I’m surprised you would even say such a thing as a prosecutor. #DerekChauvin #GeorgeFloyd
— cpoi (@cpoinyc) April 26, 2021
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