The defense at the murder trial of former Officer Derek Chauvin in the death of George Floyd rested its case Thursday without putting Chauvin on the stand, presenting a total of two days of testimony to the prosecution’s two weeks.

Chauvin, his COVID-19 mask removed in a rare courtroom moment, informed the judge that he would not testify, saying he would invoke his Fifth Amendment right not to take the stand.

It would have been the first time Chauvin publicly told his side of the story.

Closing arguments are set for Monday, after which the jury will begin deliberating.

Meanwhile, Black community leaders and family members of Daunte Wright have called for more serious charges against a white police officer in Wright’s death.

Former Brooklyn Center police Officer Kim Potter was charged with second-degree manslaughter in Sunday’s fatal shooting of Wright, a 20-year-old Black man, during a traffic stop. The former Brooklyn Center police chief said Potter mistakenly fired her handgun when she meant to use her Taser. Both the chief and Potter resigned Tuesday.

Potter was due for her initial court appearance Thursday.

Protesters and Wright’s family members say there’s no excuse for the shooting and want prosecutors to file more serious charges.

“The family is glad she got charged, but they do hope and pray for a day where they get equal justice,” Wright family attorney Ben Crump said Wednesday. “Why should we always get a fragment of justice?”

St. Thomas’ University Action and Response Team announced in an email to students, faculty and staff Wednesday that the university will host a COVID-19 vaccination event for the aforementioned members of the community.

Hy-Vee Pharmacy will administer the Pfizer vaccine for those community members age 16 and older. The first doses will be administered April 23, 24 and 26 and the second doses will be administered on May 14, 15 and 17 from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. in the McCarthy Gym.

“We anticipate being able to administer doses for up to 1,000 individuals per day,” UART wrote.

Registration for the vaccine on campus was limited to current students, faculty and staff due to limited supply. Registration for the first dose opened at an email link Thursday at noon.

Community members are still encouraged to get their vaccine from community sites and primary health care providers if possible.

Mia Laube can be reached at mia.laube@stthomas.edu.