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Minneapolis ‘Silenced Briefly’ Before Verdict

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It was a very dramatic time for a Minneapolis radio reporter before the guilty verdict was given in the Derek Chauvin murder trial.

WCCO morning anchor Steve Simpson, who’s studios are about a block from the courthouse, tells us while the city is breathing much easier now, you could cut the tension in the air with a knife in the moments before.

“I swear this city went silent for a few minutes until that verdict was read. It’s hard to describe the few minutes leading up to it, and then the several minutes afterward when it was jubilation, it was quite something to witness,” says Simpson.

He adds if Chauvin had been acquitted of the death of George Floyd last May, he wonders if the 3,000 national guard troops would have been enough to stop unrest.

Simpson adds he and his colleagues are amazed at the global implications the George Floyd death brought.

He says he has been fortunate with his career to have covered many memorable events over the years, such as the death of the singer Prince, but this ranks near the top. “This had all the other implications of race, and injustice, and all of the other things that this George Floyd case brought, to again, not only to the Twin Cities, but also to the country and the world. I think that surprised all of us.”

Simpson notes the US government is starting an investigation into Minneapolis police.

George Floyd, a black man, died May 25th, 2020, while in Minneapolis police custody. Former officer Derek Chauvin was convicted of murder in the death, after video showed the officers’ handling of Floyd, a video which drew people from around the world to protest in many cities.

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Minneapolis Bracing For Murder Verdict: WCCO

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Downtown Minneapolis is ready for the verdict in the Derek Chauvin murder trial, the former police officer charged with George Floyd’s death.

WCCO morning news anchor Steve Simpson tells us many buildings are becoming boarded up in anticipation, especially at the courthouse.

“What’s called the Hennepin County Government Centre, it’s a large high rise building. Perhaps you’ve seen it on television, behind some of the reporters who are doing standups outside… our studios happen to be about a block from that building,” says Simpson.

He adds after the initial riots tapered off, the downtown loosened up a bit, but that has changed.

Simpson is also advising not to count the defense out, in that it will present it’s side following the prosecution’s tough video of George Floyd’s final moments.

“It’s got to be a unanimous vote for a guilty verdict, otherwise it’s a hung jury. All they’re looking for is one to give them enough reasonable doubt. That’s what the defense is going for right now, because clearly they’ve got an uphill fight. But, it’s not impossible, by any means,” points out the morning news anchor.

As far the government is concerned, federal, state and local officials in Minneapolis are not messing around.

“With each milestone of the trial, we’re going to see more and more police and national guard troops on the streets. So by the time the verdict gets here, we will be at the highest level of engagement,” says Simpson.

He is confident, though, the downtown will bounce back, even as COVID-19 closed businesses and buildings were boarded up during the riots.

“There’s no thought of bringing anybody back downtown until this trial is over. This trial is keeping anyone from discussing the idea of bringing people back to work. That is perhaps different than other cities around the country,” he says.

George Floyd, a black man, died May 25th, 2020, while in Minneapolis police custody. Former officer Derek Chauvin has been charged in the death, after video showed the officers’ handling of Floyd, a video which drew people from around the world to protest in many cities.


Courtroom is on the 18th floor – (picture courtesy of Al Schoch/WCCO radio)

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Reporter Sees His Riot Filled Street On TV

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In 35 years of covering news, a Minneapolis radio reporter says nothing compares to how close the riots protesting the death of George Floyd have hit home for him.

Steve Simpson arrived at WCCO about 6-years ago, and recalls watching national coverage on TV over the weekend at home when he realized his own street was on the screen.

“When things are happening that close to you, you’re not only paying attention for the sake of the news aspect of it, but you’re paying attention for your safety. It’s not just on television, it’s literally a block and a half from you,” recalls the reporter.

He adds there was a photographer for the local TV station who was arrested, as well as an MSNBC reporter who was hit with a rubber bullet.

Simpson calls the amount of police needed to handle the anger unprecedented, and notes the number of officers seen through the streets Sunday night has not been seen by his coworkers who were born there.

“I think the largest call up of troops, of National Guard troops to help with civil unrest here in this state is under 700. On the streets of Minneapolis and St. Paul that night, we had over 5,000,” says Simpson.

The WCCO reporter adds Minnesota has never needed that many police officers in its history. And, he uses the words “visceral anger” to describe what stands out the most.

With a police officer charged with 3rd degree murder, Simpson says city police officers have been acquitted before over split second decision high profile shootings.

“Basically the law says ‘If your life is in jeopardy, you can fire your weapon and kill the suspect’. This case was totally different. We watched for eight minutes this police officer kneeling on this man’s neck,” points out the WCCO reporter.

He adds it’s very tough to prosecute police officers because there is ‘so much law’ on their side.

Picture courtesy of WCCO radio

Courtesy WCCO radio