Author: Associated Press

Chauvin won’t testify at murder trial in Floyd’s death

By Amy Forliti, Steve Karnowski and Tammy Webber

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. Chauvin informed the court Thursday that he will not testify, saying he would invoke his Fifth Amendment right not to take the stand.

Business leaders urge Biden to set ambitious climate goal

More than 300 businesses and investors are calling on the Biden administration to set an ambitious climate change goal that would cut U.S. greenhouse gas emissions by at least 50% below 2005 levels by 2030. Those sending a letter Tuesday to President Joe Biden calling for action include such giants as Apple, Google, Microsoft and Coca-Cola.

Ex-officer appeals 20-year sentence for killing Black man

By Jeffrey Collins

A white former police officer serving 20 years in prison for killing an unarmed Black man in South Carolina who ran from a traffic stop said his lawyer never told him about a plea offer from prosecutors that could have cut years off his sentence. Former North Charleston police officer Michael Slager is requesting a new sentence in federal court this week, saying he would have taken the deal and that his lawyer was grossly incompetent for not telling him about it.