Former Minneapolis police officer found guilty of killing George Floyd

After three weeks of trial and hours of jury deliberation, Derek Chauvin was found guilty of the murder of George Floyd. Those gathered outside the courthouse called it a victory. Joe Biden called for the fight against systemic racism in America to continue.

Former Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin, who knelt on George Floyd's neck and killed him, has been found guilty by a jury. Jurors found the white officer guilty on all three counts, the highest of which is second-degree involuntary manslaughter.

This type of murder carries a maximum sentence of 40 years in prison in Minnesota, but because the defendant has no criminal record, he is likely to receive the minimum sentence. The exact sentence will be determined by the judge.

Chauvin's lawyers can appeal the ruling.

The jury members were not allowed to go home during the deliberations and were staying in a hotel. The names of the jurors have not been released for security reasons. Heavy security measures were also in place around the courtroom.

“We won”

The killing of George Floyd sparked nationwide protests in the United States. These protests led to the creation of the Black Lives Matter movement and have spread beyond the United States.

During the trial, activists from the movement gathered in front of the courthouse in Minneapolis, awaiting the jury's verdict. There was concern that protests would flare up again if the defendant was acquitted or given a light sentence.

US President Joe Biden also commented on the matter and called for "appropriate punishment" for the accused.

After the jury's verdict was announced, those gathered in front of the courthouse cheered the jury's verdict by chanting "We won" and mentioning George Floyd's name.

Joe Biden welcomes jury verdict

The US President called Derek Chauvin's conviction "a huge step towards greater justice" and said in a message from the White House to George Floyd's family: "Nothing can bring back your brother and father, but this is a huge step forward in the nationwide march for justice in America."

Biden, however, stressed that this was not enough: "Real change and reform are necessary so that incidents like the killing of Floyd do not happen again."

The US President called for the continued fight against racism and police brutality, calling systemic racism a "stain on the soul" of the American nation.

Source: DW