Chauvin declines to testify at trial as testimony ends
On Thursday, Derek Chauvin invoked his Fifth Amendment right not to testify and the defense rested its case. Closing arguments are scheduled for Monday, after which the jury will be sequestered during deliberations.
Video Transcript
ERIC NELSON: Mr. Chauvin, you and I have had several discussions throughout the course of my representation of you relevant to your right to testify or to choose to remain silent, correct?
DEREK CHAUVIN: That's correct.
ERIC NELSON: During the course of our representation, it's fair to say that you and I have had this conversation multiple times, correct?
DEREK CHAUVIN: Correct.
ERIC NELSON: You understand that you have a Fifth Amendment privilege to remain silent. Do you understand that?
DEREK CHAUVIN: Yes.
ERIC NELSON: You understand that if you choose to exercise that right to remain silent, neither the state nor the court can comment on your silence as a sign or an indication of your guilt, meaning they can't say, he didn't get up and defend himself, so equate your silence with guilt. You understand that?
DEREK CHAUVIN: Yes.
ERIC NELSON: All right. Now you also understand that you can waive that right and testify. DO you understand that?
DEREK CHAUVIN: Yes, I do.
ERIC NELSON: You understand that if you chose not to testify or if you did, in fact, testify you would be subject to cross-examination by the state of Minnesota?
DEREK CHAUVIN: Yes.
ERIC NELSON: You understand that if you were cross-examined by the state, we could not attempt to limit the scope of your testimony. The state would be given broad latitude to ask you questions. You understand that?
DEREK CHAUVIN: Yes.
ERIC NELSON: We've had this conversation repeatedly, correct?
DEREK CHAUVIN: Correct.
ERIC NELSON: I have repeatedly advised you that this is your decision and your decision alone, right?
DEREK CHAUVIN: Correct.
ERIC NELSON: I have advised you, and we have gone back and forth on the matter, would be kind of an understatement, right?
DEREK CHAUVIN: Yes, it is.
ERIC NELSON: But after a lengthy meeting last night, we had some further discussion, agreed?
DEREK CHAUVIN: Right.
ERIC NELSON: And have you made a decision today whether you intend to testify or whether you intend to invoke your Fifth Amendment privilege?
DEREK CHAUVIN: I will invoke my Fifth Amendment privilege today.
