Minnesota GOP held moment of silence for police officer convicted of murder in George Floyd's death

Delegates to the Minnesota Republican Party's convention this weekend voted to hold a moment of silence for former police officer Derek Chauvin, who was convicted of murder in the death of George Floyd six years ago. 

The delegate who proposed the moment of silence, Christopher Rocco from St. Paul, said that Chauvin should get a state retrial and a federal pardon, according to the Minnesota Reformer. 

A voice vote was held on the proposal and the people yelling aye were considerably louder than those voicing opposition. 

Rocco told the New York Times that he wasn't asked by any candidate or member of the party's leadership to make the proposal. He said he believes that Chauvin "faced injustice" in the former officer's state trial, and he wanted to "stand up for someone who doesn't have the ability to stand up for himself anymore." 

The decision brought criticism from Democrats, who argued that Republicans were disrespecting the courts and Floyd's memory. 

Chuvin was convicted of murder in a Minnesota court and pleaded guilty to a civil rights crime in federal court. He was sentenced to more than 20 years in prison.