George W Bush says Derek Chauvin murder trial was conducted ‘fairly’ in first live interview in three years

(FILES) In this file photo former United States of America President George W. Bush looks on upon his arrival at the Theresanyo Primary school, on April 4, 2017, in Gaborone, during a two day official visit in Botswana. - Republican former US president George W. Bush will attend the inauguration of Democrats Joe Biden and Kamala Harris in Washington on January 20, his chief of staff said Tuesday.

Former President George W Bush weighed in on the murder trial of former Minneapolis Police Department officer Derek Chauvin during a recent interview, calling the process "fair" but abstaining from giving his prediction on the verdict.

Mr Bush appeared on NBC's ‘TODAY,’ where he weighed in on a number of topics, including the modern Republican party and the trial of Mr Chauvin.

The appearance was Mr Bush's first live television interview in three years.

“I think the first thing, Hoda, is that people know that the trial has been conducted fairly and that rule of law reigns supreme in our judiciary,” Mr Bush told co-host Hoda Kotb.

He declined to comment on the verdict.

“We'll see what a jury of his peers says,” he said. “I think a lot of people have already made up their mind what the verdict ought to be. All I can tell you this is that if the trial is not conducted fairly, there is an appeal process.”

Mr Bush said that witnessing the judicial system working as intended is "really important for the confidence of the American people," and said he believed that the trial was an example of that.

The closing arguments of the trial concluded on Monday, after which the jury was sequestered to deliberate and deliver a verdict.

As of Tuesday, the jury has not yet handed determined whether or not to convict Mr Chauvin.

Mr Chauvin faces three charges, both second and third degree murder, as well as second degree manslaughter.

The second degree murder charge carries a maximum sentence of 40 years. The third degree murder charges carries a maximum penalty of 25 years, and the second degree manslaughter charge carries a maximum sentence of 10 years.

However, Minnesota sentencing guidelines recommend that anyone without a criminal history be given a maximum of 12 and a half years for each murder charge, and four years for each manslaughter charge.

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