Derek Chauvin Trial Judgment: Ex-Minneapolis Police Officer convicted on all charges in George Floyd’s death

A panel of jurors convicted Derek Chauvin, a former Minneapolis police officer, on Tuesday on all three charges in connection with the death of George Floyd in May 2020, following one of the most recent criminal trials in recent memory.

Chauvin, 45, is charged with second-degree manslaughter, third-degree murder and second-degree murder. With the Americans in the lead while awaiting the verdict, the jury announced that he had found himself guilty across the board.

His bail was immediately withdrawn and he was led away with his hands handcuffed behind his back. Cheers and hooting cars could be heard outside the Hennepin County Courthouse when the verdict was read.

Chauvin’s sentencing is scheduled for eight weeks, the judge said. He could be sent to prison for decades.

It took the jury about 10 hours and 20 minutes to reach a decision, which was read in front of a city in the late afternoon about the possibility of more unrest like last year.

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The courthouse was surrounded by concrete barriers and razor wire, and thousands of troops from the national guard and law enforcement were brought in before the verdict. Some businesses were tackled with plywood.

The jury consists of seven women and five men. Six jurors were white, four black and two were identified as multiracial. Judges were sequestered, where they are kept secret, during hearings that began Monday afternoon.

Floyd, a 46-year-old Black man, died on May 25, 2020 after Chauvin held his knee against his neck or torso for nine minutes and 29 seconds, as a bowed Floyd repeatedly said he could not breathe.

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Police were called to the area on the day for a report that Floyd used a counterfeit $ 20 bill to buy cigarettes at a neighborhood store, Cup Foods.

His death led to widespread protests, which lasted for months, calling for an end to police brutality and systemic racism.

During the trial, the jury heard from high-ranking police officers in Minneapolis, loved ones of Floyd, bystanders, an officer who also responded to the scene, and medical experts – some of whom gave divisive opinions.

The case boils down to two important questions: whether Chauvin caused Floyd’s death and whether his actions were reasonable. Each charge requires a different piece of evidence of Chauvin’s state of mind.

Prosecutors had to prove for all three charges that Chauvin caused Floyd’s death and that his use of force was unreasonable.

Prosecutors do not have to prove that Chauvin’s self-control was the sole cause of Floyd’s death, but only that his behavior was a ‘material causal factor’. Chauvin is authorized to use force as a police officer, as long as that power is reasonable.

The defense argued that the now sacked White officer acted reasonably and that the 46-year-old Floyd died of a heart condition and illegal drug use.

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Each count imposed a different maximum sentence: 40 years for unintentional second-degree murder, 25 years for third-degree murder and ten years for second-degree manslaughter.

According to Minnesota sentencing guidelines, for a person with no criminal history, each murder charge imposed a 12.5-year suspended sentence, while manslaughter imposed a four-year suspended sentence.

Earlier in the day on Tuesday, President Biden weighed in, saying he believed the case was “overwhelming”.

He said he spoke to Floyd’s family on Monday and “can only think of the pressure and anxiety they are experiencing.”

“They are a good family and ask for peace and tranquility no matter what the verdict is,” Biden said. “I pray that the verdict is the right verdict. I think it is overwhelming in my opinion. I would not say it unless the jury is now sequestered.”

Fox News’s Ruth Ravve and Danielle Wallace contributed to this report, as did The Associated Press.