Former Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin has been found guilty on all three counts in the death of George Floyd.
Chauvin, 45, was found guilty of unintentional second-degree murder, third-degree murder and second-degree manslaughter. He had pleaded not guilty to all charges.
The jury returned a verdict Tuesday afternoon (April 20) on its second day of deliberations in the trail that lasted a little over five weeks. According to court records, the jury was composed of four white women, two white men, three Black men, one Black woman and two women of mixed race. The jury was sequestered from the public as they decided Chauvin’s fate.
As the verdicts were read, Chauvin, wearing a face mask, made no expression. Cheers from outside the courtroom erupted as the verdict was announced. Chauvin’s bail was revoked and he was taken into custody until sentencing.
Before the verdict was read, Floyd’s brother Philonise Floyd said “no matter what happens with this jury, that [the case] will be historic.”
George Floyd, 46, was killed in Minneapolis on May 25, 2020. During Floyd’s arrest, which stemmed from Floyd using a counterfeit $20 bill at a convenience store, Chauvin knelt on Floyd’s neck and back for over nine minutes.
Prosecutors argued Chauvin’s actions that day led to Floyd’s death. Chauvin’s defense said Floyd’s underlying health conditions and drug use was to blame for his death.