Richmond: A prominent Republican candidate for Virginia governor said that the guilty verdicts against former Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin this week made her “sick” and that jurors didn’t acquit because they feared a violent backlash.
“Friends, today’s verdict makes me sick,” state Senator Amanda Chase of Chesterfield told a gathering in King William County, Virginia on Tuesday (Wednesday AEST) shortly after a jury found Chauvin guilty of murder and manslaughter in the killing of George Floyd.
“I am so concerned about our law enforcement right now quitting. And you should be, too.”
Her comments, captured in a video Chase posted to Facebook, drew rebukes from state and national Democratic groups. American Bridge 21st Century, a liberal super PAC, circulated video of Chase’s remarks on Twitter, drawing about 150,000 views.
Before noon on Wednesday, a least one of the five Democrats running for governor was trying to raise money off Chase’s remarks.
“Virginia left Amanda Chase’s bigoted ideas in the 20th century,” state state Senator Jennifer McClellan, said in a fundraising appeal that accused Chase of espousing “blatantly racist ideas.”
But Chase, a self-described “Trump in heels” who prides herself on provocative statements, stood by her remarks.
“I’m concerned that the decision was politically motivated more to prevent civil unrest than to serve justice,” she later said in a written statement. “The decision made today sends a clear message to law enforcement; the justice system doesn’t have your back.”
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