Derek Chauvin has been convicted. And, clearly, not because his lawyer formally asked him on the record, albeit without the jury present, whether he was taking the Fifth Amendment.

But still! The morning after Chauvin’s defense rested, the N.Y. Times headline read, “Chauvin Passes Up His Chance To Address Jury.” No surprise. After all, every TV talking head had imparted his or her opinion, solicited or not, that he wouldn’t. Some privately adding that Chauvin simply didn’t have the balls, or with words similar.