Three things for March 10
1. Prince Harry and Meghan Markle interview sparks controversy
On Tuesday, March 9, Buckingham Palace stated allegations of racism made by Prince Harry and his wife, Meghan Markle, would be addressed by the family in private. The issue arose after Meghan and Harry’s two-hour interview with Oprah Winfrey.
The interview aired on Sunday night in the U.S. and the following day in Britain.
In the interview, Meghan Markle, who is biracial, claimed the royal family did not help her when she admitted to having suicidal thoughts. Markle also claimed an unidentified member of the royal family had “concerns” about her baby’s skin color.
According to AP News, some believe Buckingham Palace needs to respond appropriately to the allegations while others have criticized Harry and Meghan for speaking out.
“The whole family is saddened to learn the full extent of how challenging the last few years have been for Harry and Meghan,” Buckingham Palace said in a statement. “The issues raised, particularly that of race, are concerning. While some recollections may vary, they are taken very seriously and will be addressed by the family privately.”
2. Arrested journalist pleads with police officer saying ‘this is my job’
Police arrested and pepper-sprayed Iowa journalist Andrea Sahouri while covering a racial protest last year, leaving her temporarily blind. On Tuesday, March 9, she testified in her defense at her trial.
According to AP News, Sahouri pleaded with the arresting officer and told him she was merely doing her job.
“I wasn’t doing anything wrong,” Sahouri said. “I said, ‘I’m press, I’m press.’ He grabbed me, pepper-sprayed me and as he was doing so, said, ‘That’s not what I asked.’”
Luke Wilson, an 18-year veteran Des Moines police officer, said he decided to arrest Sahouri when she did not leave the scene of the “riotous mob.” Wilson said he grabbed her with his left arm, and she tried to pull away. Wilson also said Sahouri’s boyfriend, Spenser Robnett, returned and tried to pull Wilson off Sahouri. Wilson claims he was unaware she was a journalist.
According to AP News, prosecutors argue that Sahouri and Robnett did not obey orders to leave the scene; however, the defense team argues the order was meant for the protesters who were in the intersection blocking the squad cars. Sahouri and Robnett claim they did not hear orders to leave the scene and did not interfere with the arresting officers.
A six-member jury is set to begin deliberations Wednesday morning.
3. Derek Chauvin’s trial begins in Minneapolis
Derek Chauvin, the police officer who knelt on George Floyd’s neck last May, resulting in Floyd’s death, faces charges of manslaughter and second-degree murder. A disagreement over adding another charge delayed the start of jury selection. As of Tuesday night, three jurors were seated for the trial.
The trial’s first stage began with jury selection on Tuesday, with a judge giving instructions to a pool of prospective jurors. According to the New York Times, the process could take several weeks as prosecutors and Chauvin’s lawyer narrow a pool of possible jurors down to 12 who could decide the final verdict. Then the trial, which will be broadcast live after jury selection, will begin.
