Opening arguments start in trial of Minneapolis officer charged with murder in George Floyd's death
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it's probably mostly for optics
the jury will be scrutinizing Chauvin, e.g. his posture, facial expressions, breathing (like sighing or yawning), etc., and will project their own meaning on each of their observations
he'll fare better if he appears to be paying rapt attention to everything by taking "notes" (even if he's just writing over and over: All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy)
yep
it's training wheels for the mark