Mr. Derek Chauvin Found Guilty Of Murder In George Floyd’s Death
Mr. Derek Chauvin found guilty of murder in George Floyd’s death, it has been reported that crowds cheer outside court in Minneapolis as verdict is read; Chauvin could face decades in prison
In this image from video, former Minneapolis police Officer Derek Chauvin, center, is taken into custody after the verdicts were read Tuesday.Court TV via AP
MINNEAPOLIS — Former Minneapolis Officer Derek Chauvin was convicted Tuesday of murder and manslaughter for pinning George Floyd to the pavement with his knee on the Black man’s neck in a case that touched off worldwide protests,
violence and a furious reexamination of racism and policing in the U.S.
Chauvin, 45, could be sent to prison for decades.
The verdict set off jubilation around the city. People instantly flooded the surrounding streets downtown, running through traffic with banners.
Cars blared their horns. Floyd family members who had gathered at a Minneapolis conference room could be heard cheering and even laughing.
Read Also: Security Operatives Arrests 400 Persons For Funding Boko Haram Terrorists
“America, let’s pause for a moment to proclaim this historical moment, not just for the legacy of George Floyd but for the legacy of America,” Floyd family attorney Ben Crump said at a joyous news conference that included Floyd’s young daughter.
“This is a victory for those who champion humanity over inhumanity. Those who champion justice over injustice.”
The jury of six white people and six Black or multiracial ones came back with its verdict after about 10 hours of deliberations over two days.
Chauvin was found guilty on all charges: second-degree unintentional murder, third-degree murder and second-degree manslaughter.
His face was obscured by a COVID-19 mask, and little reaction could be seen beyond his eyes darting around the courtroom.
Former police officer Derek Chauvin found guilty of murder in George Floyd’s death
His bail was immediately revoked and he was led away with his hands cuffed behind his back.
As the judge asked jurors if they reached a verdict inside, a hush fell on the crowd 300 strong in a park adjacent to the courthouse outside, with people listening to the proceedings on their cellphones.
When the final guilty verdict was announced, the crowd roared, many people hugging, some shedding tears.
At the intersection where Floyd was pinned down, a crowd chanted, “One down, three to go!”
— a reference to the three other fired Minneapolis police officers facing trial in August on charges of aiding and abetting murder in Floyd’s death.
Janay Henry, who lives nearby, said she felt grateful and relieved.
“I feel grounded. I can feel my feet on the concrete,” she said, adding that she was looking forward to the “next case with joy and optimism and strength.”
The verdict was read in a courthouse ringed with concrete barriers and razor wire and patrolled by National Guard troops,
in a city on edge against another round of unrest — not just because of the Chauvin case but because of the deadly police shooting of a young Black man, Daunte Wright, in a Minneapolis suburb April 11.
The jurors identities were kept secret and will not be released until the judge decides it is safe to do so.
Floyd, 46, died May 25 after being arrested on suspicion of passing a counterfeit $20 bill for a pack of cigarettes at a corner market.
He panicked, pleaded that he was claustrophobic and struggled with police when they tried to put him in a squad car. They put him on the ground instead.
Mr. Derek Chauvin found guilty of murder in George Floyd’s death, justice is at work, what is your comment?
