Breaking News: Chauvin Guilty on All Counts
April 20, 2021
Derek Chauvin, the former Minneapolis Police officer charged with the death of George Floyd on May 25, 2020, has been found guilty on all counts. The jury deliberated for less than 12 hours over the course of two days, following Monday’s closing arguments.
Chauvin, convicted of second-degree unintentional murder, third degree murder, and second-degree manslaughter, potentially faces decades in prison and will be sentenced 8 weeks from now. It is possible he could spend the rest of his life behind bars.
In their closing arguments on Monday, prosecutors reminded jury members of the 9 minutes and 29 seconds Chauvin knelt on the neck of George Floyd, stating that the death of Floyd was not because his heart was too big (referring to the defense claim that Floyd’s heart disease should raise doubt over the cause of death) but because “Mr. Chauvin’s heart was too small.”
Former President Barack Obama released a statement following the verdict, writing, “True justice requires that we come to terms with the fact that Black Americans are treated differently, every day. It requires us to recognize that millions of our friends, family and fellow citizens live in fear that their next encounter with law enforcement could be their last. And it requires us to do the sometimes thankless, often difficult, but always necessary work fo making the America we know more like the America we believe in.
The National Fraternal Order of Police, which represents the nation’s more than 350,000 police officers, called the trial “fair” and said “due process was served,” according to a statement released by the organization on Twitter.
President Biden and Vice President Harris called the family of George Floyd following the verdict, and it is expected that President Biden will address the nation later in the evening.
Minneapolis mayor, Jacob Frey, tweeted: “George Floyd came to Minneapolis to better his life. But ultimately his life will have bettered our city. The jury joined in a shared conviction that has animated Minneapolis for the last 11 months. They refused to look away and affirmed he should still be here today.”
Darnella Frazier, the 17-year-old who filmed the bystander video of Floyd’s death and later testified in court, posted on Facebook following the guilty verdict. “I just cried so hard… This last hour my heart was beating so fast, I was so anxious. THANK YOU GOD THANK YOU THANK YOU… George Floyd we did it!!… justice has been served.”
Following the verdict, Derek Chauvin was led out of the courtroom in handcuffs and will remain in jail until sentencing.