DULUTH, Minn. — The mystery delegate at the Republican state convention, who created an unscheduled tribute to a convicted murderer, has posted an explanation of sorts on You Tube. In the 10-minute video, Christopher Rocco meanders through a confusing nonsequitur retinue that killer-cop Derek Chauvin was railroaded through an unfair trial for murdering George Floyd. Rocco claimed that Chauvin deserves a retrial and a federal pardon. At the convention Rocco had taken a microphone during a preliminary open-mic proceeding and asked for a moment of silence for Chauvin: “I apologize because I know you asked me not to do this. I’d like to suspend the rules for a moment of reflection for Derek Chauvin.” There was a roar of approval from the floor, although nobody at the moment seemed to recall the high-profile 2021 Chauvin trial that attracted national news attention — “Chauvin who?” Convention Chair Danny Nadeau bowed his head. In respectful quietude. So did the crowded auditorium with 2,300 delegates. After that the convention moved on to other matters as if nothing untoward had occurred.
Rocco. Flag-draped for his You Tube post. Where’d this guy come from: Nobody much knows.