Three things for March 17
1. Driver hits pedestrians, killing three
Early Monday morning, Craig Voss, 71, drove his car into a homeless encampment in downtown San Diego.
Overall, nine people were struck by Voss’ car. Three people were killed, and the others were seriously injured. Two are in critical condition.
According to AP News, Voss was arrested at the scene and faces at least ten charges, including vehicular manslaughter. San Diego Police Chief David Nisleit said Voss was given a sobriety test and may face a felony DUI.
The individuals sought shelter from the rain under a tunnel when Voss’ car swerved and “spun out of control.”
Mayor Todd Gloria offered shelter to the other members at the tunnel to decrease the city’s homeless population.
2. Lawyers involved in George Floyd case seek to add Floyd’s arrest history to the trial
Former Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin was charged with murder and manslaughter in May of 2020. Almost a year later, Chauvin’s lawyers have attempted to get Floyd’s arrest history, including his drug use, included in the trial.
According to AP News, “A prosecutor says it’s irrelevant and that Derek Chauvin’s lawyer is trying to smear Floyd to excuse his client’s actions.”
Judge Peter Cahill previously denied Chauvin’s request to tell the jury about Floyd’s arrest that happened a year before Floyd’s death. With new information from both sides, the judge will decide if he will allow it or not on Thursday.
Cahill does not agree with smearing someone’s character just because they were involved with drugs.
“You don’t just dirty up someone who has died in these circumstances as a defense,” Cahill said.
He will look further into the defense’s argument that Floyd’s death was caused by a “hypertensive emergency” related to his arrest in May 2019.
As Chauvin faces his trial, the city of Minneapolis agreed to pay $27 million to settle a civil lawsuit from George Floyd’s family.
3. Duke University implements stay-at-home order due to spike in COVID cases
Duke University recently saw an increase in COVID-19 cases, and according to the administration, fraternity rush events could be to blame.
According to AP News, from March 8 through March 14, the school had 231 new cases. These numbers are close to the total number of cases they had during the entire fall 2020 semester, 241. Cases have increased more frequently since “unsanctioned fraternities” began having off-campus recruitment parties.
After the university made changes to the recruitment process due to the pandemic, nine fraternities decided to form their own council, including approximately 700 members.
In response to the spike, the administration placed a stay-at-home order. If the numbers do not decrease by the weekend, the university may not have in-person classes for the rest of the semester.
