Celebration time for Black Americans, Derek Chauvin found guilty on all accounts
Chauvin was convicted of second-degree murder, third-degree murder and second-degree manslaughter for the killing of Floyd, a Black man who was detained by officers. The jurors took roughly 10 hours to reach a verdict in the high-profile case, which has been at the center of national attention for the last several weeks and was seen by many as a test of the justice system's ability to hold police accountable.
Chauvin wore a gray suit and a medical mask in the courtroom and appeared attentive but stoic as the verdict was read. Though his face was largely covered, his eyes at times darted back and forth. He was taken into custody and led from the courtroom in handcuffs as the jurors, whose identities have been protected, were dismissed.
Celebratory cheers rang out outside of the Hennepin County Courthouse as demonstrators gathered there chanted, "All three counts!" Images emerged shortly after the verdict of people around the country crying and hugging others in reaction to the news.
Floyd's brother, Philonise Floyd, was in the courtroom Tuesday. Attendance was extremely limited due to coronavirus precautions.
"I was just praying they would find him guilty," Floyd told reporters after leaving the building. "As an African American, we usually never get justice."
President Joe Biden, first lady Jill Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris spoke with Floyd by phone after the verdict. Biden also called Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz. The president and vice president were scheduled to give remarks Tuesday evening in an event that was planned in advance of the verdict, underscoring the gravity of the moment.
Chauvin kneeled on Floyd's neck for more than nine minutes during the encounter last year as Floyd lay face-down in the street, exclaiming that he could not breath. The incident was captured by a bystander on video that was then widely shared, sparking months of sustained racial justice protests and a national reckoning over race and policing.
The graphic video was at the center of the trial. Jurors heard from 45 witnesses over more than two weeks of arguments. The prosecution argued that Chauvin violated Minneapolis Police Department policy by kneeling on Floyd's neck and that his actions deprived Floyd of oxygen, killing him. Chauvin's defense presented an alternative narrative, arguing that Chauvin's actions were justified and that a heart condition and drug use ultimately led to Floyd's death.
The former police officer will not be sentenced for weeks. The most serious conviction – second-degree murder – carries a maximum sentence of 40 years in prison, though sentencing guidelines for someone with no criminal history like Chauvin is 12 1/2 years. The judge will also consider if there were aggravating factors that would warrant a higher sentence.
Minnesota prosecutors will now turn their attention to three other former police officers charged in connection with Floyd's murder.
Reaction from elected officials and other prominent figures poured in immediately after the verdict was read.
Former President Barack Obama and former first lady Michelle Obama praised the verdict in a lengthy statement but pressed the need for continued progress on racial justice.
"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 many 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 of making the America we know more like the America we believe in," the Obamas said.
Cities across the country were bracing for potentially disruptive demonstrations ahead of the verdict. More than 8,000 National Guard troops were stationed in eight states in anticipation of the verdict, the Pentagon said.
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