A judge ordered the names of jurors from Derek Chauvin's trial to be sealed so they're protected against 'unwanted publicity or harassment'

• A judge on Friday ruled that the names of the jurors in the Derek Chauvin trial will be sealed.
• The judge said lawyers reported an influx of threatening emails.
• The jurors voted to convict Chauvin of murder and manslaughter in the death of George Floyd.

A Minnesota judge decided to shield the names of the jurors involved in the trial against former Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin, who knelt on George Floyd's neck last year for more than nine minutes.

Earlier this week, the 12-member jury that presided over Chauvin's trial voted to convict him of second- and third-degree murder, as well as second-degree manslaughter.

Their identities will remain sealed for at least six months, Hennepin County court records say, to protect against the potential for harassment.

Judge Peter Cahill, who issued the order Friday, wrote that the lawyers involved in the trial said they've received "unprecedented levels of emails regarding this case, frequently of incendiary, inflammatory, or threatening nature."

"In light of all these considerations, the court finds that continuing restrictions on public disclosure of the jurors' identities remain necessary to protect those jurors desiring to remain anonymous from unwanted publicity or harassment," Cahill's order reads.

Each juror is free to disclose their identity and speak about the case "with whomever they wish," the order reads. The decision is meant to protect those who at this time do not wish to be known publicly as one of the jurors who presided over the case.

Chauvin faces up to 40 years in prison for the second-degree murder charge. He also faces up to 25 years for the third-degree murder charge and up to 10 years for second-degree manslaughter. Because Chauvin was convicted of all charges, he will be sentenced on the top charge of second-degree murder, Insider's Kelly McLaughlin and Haven Orecchio-Egresitz reported.

Chauvin is scheduled to be sentenced in June.

Floyd died on May 25 after Chauvin knelt on his neck for more than nine minutes during an arrest.

Video of the arrest shows that Floyd repeatedly said he could not breathe.

After news of Chauvin's conviction, protesters and demonstrators outside the courthouse began to cheer.

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