The Hawaii Supreme Court is considering insurance issues tying up a potential $4 billion Maui wild fire settlement.

Lawyers representing victims of a deadly Hawaii wildfire have reached a last-minute deal, averting a trial to determine how to split a $4 billion settlement.

Hawaii Gov. Josh Green says the parties in Lahaina wildfire lawsuits against Hawaii, Maui County and utilities are close to a global settlement of claims that will be worth a little over $4 billion.

Past high-profile trials suggest additional scrutiny and stress for the four judges overseeing the indictments against former President Donald Trump.

A judge has found a former Minneapolis police officer who held back bystanders while his colleagues restrained a dying George Floyd guilty of aiding and abetting manslaughter.

A defense attorney says a former Minneapolis police officer who held back bystanders while his colleagues restrained a dying George Floyd is innocent of criminal wrongdoing and should be acquitted.

Jury selection is getting underway in the trial of two former Minneapolis police officers charged in George Floyd’s death.

A judge has rescheduled the state trial for two former Minneapolis police officers in George Floyd’s killing to Oct. 24 to resolve dueling requests for a new trial date.

Minnesota prosecutors and a defense attorney for one of two former Minneapolis police officers who still face a state trial in George Floyd’s killing have made dueling requests for a new trial date.

The judge overseeing the remaining case against two former Minneapolis police officers charged in George Floyd’s killing has ordered that the trial be delayed until January to improve prospects for a fair trial.

A Minnesota judge has ruled that the trial of three fired Minneapolis police officers charged with aiding and abetting George Floyd’s killing will not be livestreamed.

Prosecutors have revealed that they offered plea deals to three former Minneapolis police officers charged with aiding and abetting the murder of George Floyd, but say the defendants rejected them.

A white suburban Minneapolis police officer has been found guilty of first-degree and second-degree manslaughter in the death of Daunte Wright, a Black man.

The Minnesota Supreme Court has denied former Minneapolis police Officer Derek Chauvin’s request to have a public defender represent him as he appeals his murder conviction and sentence in the death of George Floyd.

A former Minneapolis police officer convicted of murder in George Floyd's death has pleaded not guilty to allegedly violating a teenager's civil rights in a separate case that involved a restraint similar to the one used on Floyd.

Attorneys for three former Minneapolis police officers charged in George Floyd's death asked a judge Thursday to bar their upcoming trial from being livestreamed, saying some witnesses won’t testify if proceedings are broadcast.

Judge Peter Cahill told George Floyd’s family members that “I acknowledge and hear the pain that you’re feeling,” before sentencing a former Minneapolis police officer to 22 1/2 years in prison for murder.

The defense attorney for the former Minneapolis police officer convicted of murder in the death of George Floyd is seeking not only a new trial but also a hearing to “impeach the verdict” by investigating potential juror misconduct.

Prosecutors are seeking a 30-year sentence for the former Minneapolis police officer convicted of murder in the death of George Floyd, but a defense attorney is asking that Derek Chauvin be sentenced to probation and time already served.

The trial of three former Minneapolis police officers charged with aiding and abetting in George Floyd's death has been pushed back to March 2022.

A Minnesota judge has found aggravating factors in the death of George Floyd.

The defense attorney for the former Minneapolis police officer convicted of killing George Floyd has requested a new trial, saying the court abused its discretion on several points and that the verdict should be impeached because of jury misconduct.

A Minnesota court has set a June sentencing date for Derek Chauvin, who was convicted of murder and manslaughter in the death of George Floyd.

President Joe Biden says the conviction of former Minneapolis Police Officer Derek Chauvin in the killing of George Floyd “can be a giant step forward” for the nation in the fight against systemic racism.

After more than two weeks of witness testimony and hours of attorney arguments, the fate of former Minneapolis police Officer Derek Chauvin is now in the hands of a jury that will decide whether he is responsible for George Floyd's death. Jury deliberations are done in private and are largely a mystery to those who aren’t involved. The jury will be sequestered, and the duration of deliberations depends on the jury. One legal expert said waiting for a jury verdict can seem like “the longest hours of any day.”

President Joe Biden says the conviction of former Minneapolis Police Officer Derek Chauvin in the killing of George Floyd “can be a giant step forward” for the nation in the fight against systemic racism.

Former Minneapolis police Officer Derek Chauvin has been convicted of murder and manslaughter in the death of George Floyd, the explosive case that triggered worldwide protests, violence and a furious reexamination of racism and policing in the U.S. The jury deliberated about 10 hours over two days in a city on edge against another outbreak of unrest.

The murder case against former Minneapolis police Officer Derek Chauvin in the death of George Floyd has gone to the jury.

Authorities say vandals left a pig’s head at the one-time California home of a use-of-force expert who testified on behalf of the officer accused of killing George Floyd.

Attorneys and witnesses have frequently used the words “reasonable” or “unreasonable” during the trial of the former Minneapolis police officer charged with murder and manslaughter in George Floyd’s death.

The defense at the murder trial of former Officer Derek Chauvin in the death of George Floyd has rested its case without putting Chauvin on the stand, wrapping up after two days of testimony to the prosecution’s two weeks.

The attorney for the officer on trial in George Floyd’s death says several studies suggest police can safely use their bodyweight to hold a handcuffed suspect facedown on the ground, as Floyd was in the last minutes of his life.

Prosecutors’ case against former Officer Derek Chauvin drew toward a close Monday with tender memories from George Floyd’s younger brother and testimony from a police use-of-force expert who said no “reasonable” officer would have done what Chauvin did.

The foundation of the case against the former Minneapolis police officer charged with killing George Floyd is a mountain of video evidence, but presenting that to jurors isn’t as easy as pushing play.

The biggest single difference is that the trial is televised, which is common in many states but not in Minnesota. But Hennepin County Judge Peter Cahill ordered them anyway, citing intense interest in the trial, the limited courtroom space and the need for transparency. SIDEBARSAt ordinary trials, the judge and attorneys huddle around the judge's bench — a nonstarter with the pandemic. Instead, the attorneys, the judge and Chauvin all put on headsets to talk over any legal or procedural issues out of the jury's hearing. ___Find AP’s full coverage of the death of George Floyd: https://apnews.com/hub/death-of-george-floyd

(Court TV, via AP, Pool)MINNEAPOLIS – Opening statements are set for Monday in the trial of a former Minneapolis police officer charged with murder and manslaughter in George Floyd’s death. THE JUDGEHennepin County Judge Peter Cahill is respected and has a reputation as a no-nonsense, fair judge. He also denied defense requests to delay or move the trial out of Hennepin County after the city of Minneapolis reached a $27 million settlement with Floyd's family. This was a win for local civil rights advocates who said longtime Hennepin County Attorney Mike Freeman didn't have the trust of the Black community. He helped win an acquittal for a Minnesota man who was charged with fatally shooting his unarmed neighbor in 2017.

Weren’t Derek Chauvin and other officers “duty bound to deal with the arrestee as they find them?” Cahill asked. That duty could be key at the trial that starts with opening statements Monday, especially as the defense asserts that Floyd's swallowing of pills contributed to his death. The Minneapolis Police Department sought to train its officers to minimize violence in the years before Floyd died. Floyd's death indicates the 2016 reforms in Minneapolis didn't work, he said. The officers get Floyd to the ground and hold him there.

AdDerek Chauvin is charged with murder and manslaughter in the May 25 death of Floyd. The widely seen video set off street protests in Minneapolis, some violent, that spread across the U.S. and the world. He said Floyd’s death sparked discussions about racism at work, and he decided to educate himself by reading a book about the subject. Throughout jury selection, the defense frequently struck people who told the court they already had strong feelings about Chauvin’s guilt. ___Find AP’s full coverage of the death of George Floyd: https://apnews.com/hub/death-of-george-floyd

MINNEAPOLIS – A 14th juror was seated Monday for the trial of a former Minneapolis police officer charged in George Floyd’s death, leaving just one more to be selected before the proceedings against Derek Chauvin can begin. Cahill told attorneys that up to 12 potential jurors will be questioned on Tuesday if necessary, so they should be prepared for a long day. Ad“We’re going to get through 12, however long it takes tomorrow, because we only need the one ... so 12 or bust,” Cahill said. Floyd’s death, captured on a widely seen bystander video, set off weeks of sometimes violent protests across the country and led to a national reckoning on racial justice. He compared the events surrounding Floyd’s death to a tussle with a brother, saying the wrestling should stop if someone says they give up.

Jury selection in the trial of Derek Chauvin will stretch into a third week after attorneys seated just one additional juror Friday. The 13th juror picked is a woman who said she’d seen only clips of the video of Floyd’s arrest and needs to learn more about what happened beforehand. Hennepin County Judge Pete Cahill said court would resume Monday to pick two more jurors -- for a total of 15, one more than expected. AdSeven jurors had been picked last week when the Minneapolis City Council announced it had unanimously approved the massive payout to settle a civil rights lawsuit over Floyd’s death. Floyd’s death, captured on a widely seen bystander video, set off weeks of sometimes violent protests across the country and led to a national reckoning on racial justice.

A total of 12 jurors have now been selected, leaving just two alternates yet to be chosen. “The defense is doing a full-on trial of George Floyd, who is not on trial, but that is what they're doing," said Blackwell, adding that the defense also planned to make arguments about Floyd's drug use. Floyd’s death, captured on bystander video, set off weeks of sometimes-violent protests across the country and led to a national reckoning on racial justice. Three other former officers face an August trial in Floyd’s death on charges of aiding and abetting second-degree murder and manslaughter. Ad___Find AP’s full coverage of the death of George Floyd: https://apnews.com/hub/death-of-george-floyd

Hennepin County Judge Peter Cahill recalled seven jurors who were seated before the settlement was announced last week, at the request of former officer Derek Chauvin’s attorney, Eric Nelson. Cahill questioned each about what they knew of the settlement and whether it would affect their ability to serve. The dismissal of only two jurors suggested the impact of the settlement on the jury pool was less than feared, likely reducing the chance of Cahill granting a defense request to delay the trial. Chauvin is charged with murder and manslaughter in the May 25 death of Floyd, a Black man who was declared dead after Chauvin, who is white, pressed his knee against his neck for about nine minutes. AdThree other former officers face an August trial in Floyd’s death on charges of aiding and abetting second-degree murder and manslaughter.

Floyd’s death, captured on a widely seen bystander video, set off weeks of sometimes-violent protests across the country and led to a national reckoning on racial justice. AdThe judge previously rejected Chauvin’s attempt to tell the jury about Floyd’s May 2019 arrest — a year before his fatal encounter with Chauvin — but heard fresh arguments Tuesday from both sides. Nelson argued that shows Floyd knew that swallowing drugs might result in going to the hospital rather than jail. The question of Floyd’s drug use has played out in jury selection, with prosecutors gauging prospective jurors’ attitudes. Three other former officers face an August trial in Floyd’s death on charges of aiding and abetting second-degree murder and manslaughter.

AdMayor Jacob Frey deferred questions about the timing of the settlement to City Attorney Jim Rowader, who declined to comment. Potential jurors questioned later didn't mention hearing of the settlement, and neither attorneys nor the judge directly asked if they were aware of it. At least four potential jurors dismissed Monday said they couldn’t be impartial. He also wondered why other officers didn’t intervene. Three other former officers face an August trial on charges of aiding and abetting second-degree murder and manslaughter.

Floyd family attorney Ben Crump called it the largest pretrial settlement ever for a civil rights claim, and thanked city leaders for “showing you care about George Floyd.”“It’s going to be a long journey to justice. “This makes a statement that George Floyd deserved better than what we witnessed on May 25, 2020, that George Floyd’s life mattered, and that by extension, Black lives matter.”Ad“Even though my brother is not here, he's here with me in my heart,” Philonise Floyd said. “I just want you to know how deeply we are with you,” she said to Floyd's family members. Floyd’s family filed the federal civil rights lawsuit in July against the city, Chauvin and three other fired officers charged in his death. AdIt wasn't immediately clear how the settlement might affect the trial or the jury now being seated to hear it.

Defense attorneys complain the doctrine allows prosecutors to play on jurors' emotions and has nothing to do with evidence. If Cahill allows prosecutors to go too far, he could hand Chauvin grounds for an appeal. WHAT IS THE “SPARK OF LIFE” DOCTRINE? Frank told Cahill he plans to bring in photographs of Floyd at various stages of his life and present at least two witnesses. The smart defense attorneys will figure out how to use this.”___Find AP's full coverage of the death of George Floyd: https://apnews.com/hub/death-of-george-floyd

Hennepin County Judge Peter Cahill reinstated the charge after the former officer, Derek Chauvin, failed to get appellate courts to block it. Cahill had earlier rejected the charge as not warranted by the circumstances of Floyd’s death, but an appellate court ruling in an unrelated case established new grounds. Legal experts say the additional charge helps prosecutors by giving jurors another option to find Chauvin guilty of murder. Cahill told potential jurors after the ruling that he still expects opening statements on March 29. The dispute over the third-degree murder charge revolved around wording in the law that references an act “eminently dangerous to others.” Cahill's initial decision to dismiss the charge noted that Chauvin’s conduct might be construed as not dangerous to anyone but Floyd.

Judge Peter Cahill seated two more jurors to go with the three picked Tuesday for Derek Chauvin’s trial on second-degree murder and manslaughter charges. In a separate development, the Minnesota Supreme Court declined to hear Chauvin's appeal to block a third-degree murder charge from being reinstated. The Minnesota Court of Appeals last week said it settled the law with its ruling last month affirming the conviction of Mohamed Noor in the 2017 shooting death of Justine Ruszczyk Damond. Legal experts say giving the jury another option for convicting Chauvin of murder raises the chance of a conviction. “Go ahead and throw me under the bus with your fiancée.”___Find AP’s full coverage of the death of George Floyd: https://apnews.com/hub/death-of-george-floyd

(Court TV, via AP, Pool)MINNEAPOLIS – Because the trial of a former Minneapolis police officer charged in George Floyd's death is being held during the coronavirus pandemic, the courtroom has been overhauled for safety. The pandemic has upended court systems across the country, delaying jury trials and creating huge backlogs of cases. Many courts have installed barriers or moved jury orientation and even trials themselves to bigger spaces such as convention centers to get at least some jury trials going again. In Minnesota, in-person criminal jury trials have been mostly on hold since November. Tall plexiglass dividers separate the judge and court staffers from the limited number of other people in the courtroom.

One of the selected jurors said he hadn’t seen the widely-viewed bystander video of Floyd’s arrest at all, while the others described seeing it minimally. One woman who saw the video said she doesn't understand why Chauvin didn’t get up when Floyd said he couldn’t breathe. Chauvin is charged with second-degree murder and manslaughter in Floyd’s death, and jury selection is proceeding despite uncertainty over whether a third-degree murder charge will be added. Floyd’s death sparked sometimes violent protests in Minneapolis and beyond, leading to a nationwide reckoning on race. The races of the second and third jurors selected were not made clear in court.

MINNEAPOLIS – Jury selection for a former Minneapolis police officer charged in George Floyd’s death was halted before it began Monday by the state's effort to add a third-degree murder charge. AdThere was no indication when that court will rule, but a hold could delay Chauvin’s trial for weeks. Chauvin is charged with second-degree murder and manslaughter in Floyd’s death. For third-degree murder, they must prove that Chauvin's actions caused Floyd's death, and that his actions were reckless and without regard for human life. Floyd’s death sparked sometimes violent protests in Minneapolis and beyond, and led to a nationwide reckoning on race.

Jury selection begins Monday, March 8, 2021, for Derek Chauvin, a former Minneapolis police officer charged with murder and manslaughter in George Floyd's death. (AP Photo/Jim Mone, File)MINNEAPOLIS – Jury selection begins Monday for a former Minneapolis police officer charged with murder and manslaughter in George Floyd's death. City, county and state officials are preparing for any sort of reaction that trial testimony or a verdict might elicit. AdTHE JUDGEHennepin County Judge Peter Cahill is respected and has a reputation as a no-nonsense, fair judge. AdPROSECUTIONDays after Floyd's death, Minnesota's governor announced that Attorney General Keith Ellison would take the lead on prosecuting the case.

As the trial approaches for Chauvin, charged with murder in George Floyd's death, prosecutors are putting the time Chauvin's knee was on Floyd's neck at about nine minutes. A three-judge panel said Hennepin County District Judge Peter Cahill erred last fall when he rejected a prosecution motion to reinstate the third-degree murder charge against Derek Chauvin. A reinstated third-degree murder count could increase the prosecution’s odds of getting a murder conviction. "We believe the charge of 3rd-degree murder, in addition to manslaughter and felony murder, reflects the gravity of the allegations against Mr. Chauvin. Prosecutors want to add charges of aiding and abetting third-degree murder against them, but that question will be resolved later.

Chauvin, who held his knee to the neck of George Floyd for several minutes, will be tried separately from three other former officers accused in his death, according to scheduling orders filed Tuesday, Jan. 12, 2021. (Hennepin County Sheriff's Office via AP, File)MINNEAPOLIS – A former Minneapolis police officer who held his knee to George Floyd's neck for minutes will be tried separately from the three other former officers accused in his death, according to an order filed Tuesday that cites limited courtroom space due to COVID-19 restrictions. Derek Chauvin will stand trial alone in March while the other three former officers will be tried together in the summer. Former officers Lane, Tou Thao and J. Alexander Kueng are each charged with aiding and abetting second-degree murder and aiding and abetting second-degree manslaughter. Defense attorneys had argued last year that the officers should be tried separately, but prosecutors argued against it.

MINNEAPOLIS – A judge on Thursday rejected defense requests to move the trial of four former Minneapolis police officers charged in George Floyd's death, and also ordered that all four will be tried together instead of separately. Hennepin County Judge Peter Cahill ruled after defense attorneys had argued that pretrial publicity had made it impossible for the four men to get a fair trial in Minneapolis. But Cahill said he was unpersuaded that moving the trial would improve security, and that he believes the jury can be protected from outside influences. Moving the trial away from Minneapolis to a less diverse area of the state also likely would affect the makeup of the jury, though the judge didn't address that issue. Floyd’s death sparked protests in Minneapolis and beyond, and led to a nationwide reckoning on race.

MINNEAPOLIS – A Minnesota judge has dismissed a third-degree murder charge filed against the former Minneapolis police officer who pressed his knee against George Floyd's neck, saying there was not enough probable cause for that count to proceed to trial. Cahill also found probable cause to move forward with the aiding and abetting counts against three other former officers, Thomas Lane, J. Kueng and Tou Thao. He said prosecutors do not need to show Chauvin's actions were the sole cause of Floyd’s death. “This is not an appropriate case for a third-degree murder charge,” he said. When the third-degree murder charge was filed, the Minnesota chapter of the American Civil Liberties Union asked the state to take over the case from Hennepin County, saying more serious charges were warranted.

The judge overseeing the case has yet to decide whether cameras will be allowed. But the state attorney general’s office, which is prosecuting the case, opposes them, saying cameras would only create more problems. The former officers have consented to cameras, but prosecutors have resisted, saying they may revisit the issue as the trial nears. Defense attorneys say cameras would help ensure the trial is fair and open during the pandemic, when courtroom attendance has been limited to allow for social distancing. Kirtley, who is part of the coalition, said any concerns that cameras would be disruptive can be managed by the judge.

Chauvin is charged with second-degree murder of George Floyd, a black man who died after being restrained by him and the other Minneapolis police officers on May 25. (Hennepin County Sheriff's Office via AP)MINNEAPOLIS The four former Minneapolis police officers charged in the death of George Floyd are due in court Monday for a hearing that could deal with bail amounts and other issues. Its the second pretrial hearing for the men, who were fired after Floyds May 25 death. Second-degree murder carries a maximum penalty of 40 years in prison, third-degree murder carries up to 25 years and manslaughter up to 10. The other three former officers are charged with aiding and abetting both second-degree murder and second-degree manslaughter.

Floyd's death was universally condemned in Minnesota, with elected officials including Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey calling for the officers to be charged. Disturbing video of Floyd's death triggered massive nationwide demonstrations protesting systemic racism and police brutality against Black and brown men and women. The charges against Chauvin are unintentional second-degree murder, third-degree murder and second-degree manslaughter. Second-degree murder carries a maximum penalty of 40 years in prison, third-degree murder carries up to 25 years and manslaughter up to 10. The other three former officers are charged with aiding and abetting both second-degree murder and second-degree manslaughter.

MINNEAPOLIS A Minnesota judge on Friday rejected allowing cameras in the court for pretrial proceedings of four former Minneapolis police officers charged in the death of George Floyd. Minnesota rules allow the judge, prosecutors or defense attorneys to veto camera coverage during criminal court proceedings before a conviction. The judge will rule later on whether cameras will be allowed at trial. A defense attorney filed a motion Thursday on behalf of the ex-officers to allow recording of all pretrial and trial proceedings. Doing otherwise allows these public officials to geld the Constitution, wrote attorney Thomas Plunkett, representing J. Kueng, one of four fired officers charged in Floyd's death.