Chauvin Murder Trial

[Bucky Ball]

Frankly, given how much the prosecution destroyed the defense’s case, that neither the fentanyl nor any sort of carbon monoxide poisoning were responsible enough for his death to keep Chauvin from being liable for Floyd’s death, and that what Chauvin did was disproportionate to any sort of threat Floyd was posing, I doubt there was enough room for doubt for the threat of rioting to play a role in a guilty verdict.

Exactly.
The threat of the public rioting is present in almost any case. 
It would be impossible to eliminate that risk today with 24 hour, instant world-wide news coverage. 
It's a non-argument, and if one were to accept the assumptions there, one could hold no trial, ever, ... and there has not been an alternative presented. 
Should they just have left Chauvin go on his merry way ? No one said justice is perfect. 9+ minutes on Floyd's neck makes him guilty, mob or no mob.