George Floyd’s Killer, Now On His Own, Is Fighting Convictions

ACROSS AMERICA — Good morning! It’s Saturday, Sept. 25. We hope you’re taking time off this Saturday to relax and enjoy the early days of fall. Meanwhile, here’s a look at the stories we’re following today:

• Derek Chauvin is appealing his conviction in the death of George Floyd.
• Airspace over a Florida reserve is restricted as the search for Brian Laundrie enters its eighth day.
• An audit of election results in Arizona found that Joe Biden won Maricopa County by more votes than originally thought.
• Find out if you’re eligible for a COVID-19 booster shot.

Derek Chauvin Files Appeal

Former Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin is appealing his murder and manslaughter conviction in the death of George Floyd. Chauvin, who is now representing himself, filed the appeal Thursday.

In his appeal, Chauvin cites over a dozen reasons for why his conviction should be overturned, including "prejudicial prosecutorial misconduct."

In June, Chauvin was sentenced to serve 22 years and six months in prison after he was convicted in Floyd's death. Chauvin now faces federal civil rights charges. » Chauvin, Now Representing Himself, Appeals His Murder Conviction, via Southwest Minneapolis Patch

‘Maybe If We Were White’

The national response to the disappearance of 22-year-old Gabby Petito is prompting many people of color — some whose loved ones have been missing for years — to pose a question: Why didn't our case get the same attention?

In Wyoming, where Petito’s body was found, more than 700 Indigenous people have disappeared in the last decade, yet it’s likely no one knew their stories. In California, Maricris Drouaillet and her family have spent nearly nine months searching for her sister, Maya Millete, who disappeared from her home in January. The family moved to the United States from the Philippines when Maya was 12.

"Even before Gabby's case was out there, I felt that maybe if we were white or with money or had names, we probably would have gotten a different approach, more help and support," Drouaillet told a Maryland-based radio station. "Every missing person deserves to be in a headline.” » Was Petito Search An Example Of 'Missing White Woman Syndrome'? via Across America Patch

Laundrie Search Enters 8th Day

The Federal Aviation Administration has restricted the air space for security reasons above the Carlton Reserve in Florida, where teams are entering their eighth day searching for Brian Laundrie. Laundrie, 23, of North Port, Florida, has been called a person of interest in the homicide of his fiancee, Gabby Petito. » Brian Laundrie Search: FAA Restricts Flights Over Nature Reserve, via Sarasota Patch

Follow all Gabby Petito coverage via Patch, including these other recent stories:

• Brian Laundrie Indicted, Sought By FBI On Arrest Warrant, via Sarasota, Florida, Patch
• Gabby Petito Was An Artist 'Who Loved Living Life', via Patchogue Patch
• GoFundMe Will Continue Helping Gabby Petito's Family: Organizer, via Patchogue Patch

COVID-19 Boosters: What To Know

Federal health officials took yet another swing at fighting the coronavirus pandemic this week when they endorsed COVID-19 vaccine booster shots for millions of eligible Americans. Both the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and a panel of advisers to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have now formally backed booster shots. Not sure if you’re eligible? Patch answers your questions. » Who Is Eligible For COVID-19 Booster Shots? 5 Things To Know, via Across America Patch

Election Audit Confirms Biden Win

A GOP-backed election audit confirmed that President Joe Biden carried Maricopa County during the 2020 election, and by a wider margin than the final certified results showed. Former President Donald Trump called the audit a “fraud.” » GOP-Backed Arizona Election Review Confirms Biden 2020 Win, via The Hill

Your Good News Fix

Who says there’s never any good news? Get your fix this week with stories about a mom in search of the “angel cop” who helped her son, a hero who was honored for saving eight lives, and a husky who’s waiting for a second chance at life. » 9 Good News Stories: 'Angel' Police Officer Sought; Hero Honored, via Across America Patch

This Day In History

In 1777, Philadelphia, the nation’s capital at the time, was occupied by British forces during the American Revolution.

Around ‘The Patch’

• Church Financial Director Accused Of Hiring Hitman To Kill Spouse Of Ex-Lover, via New Tampa, Florida, Patch
• Delta Bans 1,600 Flyers, Wants Other Carriers To Do The Same, via Atlanta Patch
• Security Concerns Prompt Marine Corps Marathon Events To Go Virtual, via Arlington, Virginia, Patch
• Former Rhode Island Theater Busted As Pot Farm, via Pawtucket, Rhode Island, Patch
• Coroner Accused Of Stealing Over $14,000 From Dead People, via Rockford, Illinois, Patch
• 2 State Troopers From South Jersey Indicted On Child Porn Charges, via Moorestown Patch

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