Biden nominates prosecutor who helped convict Derek Chauvin to become a federal judge

• President Biden nominated Jerry Blackwell, who led the prosecution against Derek Chauvin, to be a federal judge.
• If confirmed, Blackwell would serve in the District of Minnesota.

A prosecutor who helped convict former Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin of murdering George Floyd has been nominated by President Joe Biden to become a federal judge, the White House announced.

Blackwell helped lead the prosecution of Chauvin after Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison brought him on as a special prosecutor for the case, the Minneapolis Star Tribune reported.

Blackwell served as a lawyer on the case pro bono, meaning without pay, and delivered the opening statement and closing arguments, according to his law firm.

If confirmed by the US Senate, Blackwell would serve as a judge for the district court for the district of Minnesota.

He's part of the president's 19th round of judicial nominees, bringing the total number of judges Biden has nominated since taking office to 105.

Blackwell didn't immediately respond to Insider's request for comment.