Peter Cahill, the judge who presided over the 2021 trial of former Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin, has spoken publicly for the first time since the landmark case that followed the killing of George Floyd. In a rare and candid interview, Cahill opened up about the immense pressures of the trial, his personal reflections, and the enduring impact of the proceedings.

Floyd, an unarmed Black man, died on May 25, 2020, after Chauvin knelt on his neck and back for over nine minutes during an arrest. The incident, captured on video, sparked global protests and led to one of the most consequential trials in recent American history.

"I Didn't Want the Case"

Cahill admitted he never sought out the trial, recalling the moment he learned it had landed on his desk. “I swore out loud,” he said. “But it’s duty, honor, country when it comes right down to it.”

He also disclosed receiving a handwritten note of encouragement from Judge Lance Ito, who presided over the O.J. Simpson trial, with a simple message: “Peace and wisdom.”

Acknowledging Bias

In a moment of introspection, Cahill acknowledged a personal bias, saying, “I think I have a pro-police bias that I have to be careful not to act on.” Still, he emphasized that judicial training and personal commitment guided him toward impartiality.

Opening the Courtroom to the World

Due to COVID-19 restrictions limiting in-person attendance, Cahill made the groundbreaking decision to livestream the trial to preserve the constitutional right to a public hearing. More than 23 million people watched as the jury returned a guilty verdict.

Personal Toll and Public Pressure

Cahill described the intense public scrutiny, noting he received enough hate mail to fill two boxes. “Most of the hate mail was, ‘You should have given him life.’ I had pastors condemning me to hell for what they called a ‘light sentence.’” Others, he said, urged him to pardon Chauvin—something he had no legal power to do.

Some messages mentioned his family, which he viewed as intimidation. One letter, requesting his autograph, was mailed directly to his home. In response, Cahill installed police-monitored surveillance and increased security patrols. Still, his local community stood by him, sending care packages—including a bottle of whiskey.

Legal and Political Challenges

Cahill recalled the moment he first saw the video of Floyd’s death. “I remember thinking, ‘He’s gonna get charged.’” The trial coincided with nationwide protests, the police killing of Daunte Wright, and the Minneapolis City Council’s announcement of a $27 million settlement with Floyd’s family just as jury selection began.

He criticized public officials, including then-President Joe Biden, for publicly commenting on the case, saying such remarks threatened the integrity of the judicial process. While the defense requested a change of venue, Cahill declined, arguing that no part of Minnesota would be untouched by the case’s influence.

“Floyd Wasn’t on Trial”

Cahill addressed criticism regarding the exclusion of certain information, including Floyd’s prior criminal history. “A lot of this stuff had nothing to do with it. [Floyd] wasn’t on trial,” he said.

He also dismissed claims that protest chants could be heard during jury deliberations, confirming the jury had been moved to a secure, undisclosed location.

Reflecting on the Aftermath

Now retired, Cahill has donated artifacts from the trial—including his judge’s robes, handwritten notes, and hate mail—to the Minnesota Historical Society. His only regret, he said, was briefly imposing a gag order on attorneys, which he later lifted after deeming it ineffective.

Looking back, Cahill expressed concern over growing public mistrust in the justice system: “The far right, you know, their daily bread is revisionist history. But in this instance, it’s a lack of trust in the judicial process—and that’s concerning.”

Derek Chauvin is currently serving a 22½-year sentence in a federal prison in Texas for the murder of George Floyd and for violating his civil rights.