Overview

• Judge Peter Cahill, who presided over the Derek Chauvin trial, recently gave his first interview since retiring in January 2025, reflecting on the case's significant challenges and decisions.
• Cahill defended his decision to keep the trial in Minneapolis despite concerns about bias and to broadcast it live due to COVID-19 restrictions, setting a precedent for expanded courtroom transparency in Minnesota.
• He highlighted the intense security measures taken during the trial, including barbed wire around the courthouse, juror transport protocols, and personal safety precautions at his home.
• Cahill criticized external influences on the trial, including public comments from politicians, the Minneapolis City Council's pre-trial settlement with George Floyd's family, and the broader 'defund the police' movement.
• Acknowledging his own pro-police bias, Cahill emphasized his efforts to remain impartial and praised the jury for their careful deliberation despite the high-profile nature of the case.