Topic: Peter Cahill

Judge Peter Cahill criticized Representative Maxine Waters' comments as "disrespectful to the rule of law" but ultimately denied the defense's motion for a mistrial. Cahill stated that while the rhetoric was abhorrent, he trusted the jury to follow instructions and remain uninfluenced by outside news. Jones argues that the failure to declare a mistrial proves the trial is a "fraud" conducted under mob intimidation.

Norm Pattis criticizes the defense for not requesting a "voir dire" of the jury following Maxine Waters' inflammatory comments. He compares the situation to the 1954 Sam Sheppard case, where the Supreme Court eventually overturned a conviction due to a "circus-like" atmosphere. Pattis asserts that the presence of National Guard troops and the smell of smoke in Minneapolis make it impossible for jurors to feel truly free to acquit.