Former Minneapolis Police Officer Found Guilty in George Floyd’s Death

After three weeks of trial proceedings and several hours of jury deliberation, Derek Chauvin was found guilty in the death of George Floyd. Protesters outside the courthouse considered this a victory. Joe Biden called for continued efforts to combat systemic racism in America.

Derek Chauvin, the former Minneapolis police officer who caused George Floyd’s death by placing his knee on his neck, was found guilty by the jury. The jury members found the white police officer guilty on all three counts of charges, the most serious being second-degree murder without premeditation.

This type of murder carries a sentence of up to 40 years in prison in Minnesota, but because the defendant has no criminal record, it is likely that the minimum sentence will be imposed. The judge will announce the exact punishment.

Chauvin’s lawyers can appeal this verdict and request a retrial.

Jury members were not allowed to go to their homes during deliberation and stayed in a hotel. For security reasons, the names of the jury members were not disclosed. Strict security measures were also taken around the courthouse.

“We Won”

George Floyd’s death sparked nationwide protests in America. These protests led to the creation of the “Black Lives Matter” movement and spread beyond America.

During the trial, activists of this movement gathered outside the courthouse in Minneapolis and waited for the jury’s verdict. There was concern that if the defendant was acquitted or given a light sentence, protests would flare up again.

U.S. President Joe Biden also commented on the matter and called for “appropriate punishment” for the defendant.

After the jury’s verdict was announced, protesters outside the courthouse welcomed it by chanting “We Won” and calling out George Floyd’s name.

Joe Biden’s Response to the Jury’s Verdict

The U.S. President considered Derek Chauvin’s conviction “a great step toward greater justice” and in a message sent from the White House, addressed to George Floyd’s family, said: “Nothing can bring your brother and father back, but this is a great step forward in the nationwide march for justice in America.”

However, Biden emphasized that this is not enough: “Real change and reform are necessary to ensure that incidents like Floyd’s death do not happen again.”

The U.S. President called for continued efforts to combat racism and police violence, and described systemic racism as “a stain on the soul” of the American nation.

Source: DW