Trial Verdict Derek Chauvin: Ex Minneapolis Police Officer Found Guilty of All Charges in George Floyd’s Death

A panel of jurors found former Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin guilty on Tuesday on all three charges related to George Floyd’s death in May 2020, following one of the most closely watched criminal trials in recent memory.

Chauvin, 45, was charged with second degree accidental murder, third degree murder, and second degree manslaughter. With Americans on edge pending verdict, the jury announced it found him guilty across the board.

His bail was immediately withdrawn and he was taken away with his hands handcuffed behind his back. Cheers and honking cars could be heard outside the Hennepin County courthouse while the verdict was read.

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

It took the jury about 10 hours and 20 minutes to reach a decision, which was read late in the afternoon in a city on the verge of the possibility of more unrest as it erupted last spring.

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The courthouse was surrounded by concrete barriers and barbed wire, and thousands of National Guard troops and law enforcement officers were brought in before the verdict. Some companies were boarded up with plywood.

The jury consisted of seven women and five men. Six judges were white, four were black, and two were identified as multiracial. Jurors were segregated, their whereabouts kept secret, during the deliberations 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, while a handcuffed Floyd repeatedly said he couldn’t breathe.

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

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

During the trial, the jury heard of senior Minneapolis police officers, loved ones of Floyd, bystanders, an officer who also responded to the scene, and medical experts – some of whom presented dueling opinions.

The case boiled down to two main questions: whether Chauvin caused Floyd’s death and whether his actions were reasonable. Each accusation required different evidence regarding Chauvin’s state of mind.

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

Prosecutors did not have to prove that Chauvin’s reluctance was the sole cause of Floyd’s death, but only that his behavior was a “substantial causal factor.” Chauvin is authorized to use force as a police officer, as long as it is reasonable.

The defense argued that the now-fired white officer was acting reasonably and that 46-year-old Floyd died of heart disease and illegal drug use.

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Each count had a different maximum sentence: 40 years for accidental second-degree murder, 25 years for third-degree murder, and 10 years for second-degree manslaughter.

Under the Minnesota sentencing guidelines, for a person with no criminal history, each murder charge carries a presumptive sentence of 12.5 years in prison, while manslaughter carries a presumed four-year sentence.

Earlier Tuesday, President Biden weighed in by saying he believes the matter is “overwhelming.”

He said he spoke to Floyd’s family on Monday and “can only imagine the pressure and fear they are feeling.”

“They are a good family and they call for peace and tranquility whatever that judgment may be,” said Biden. I pray that the verdict is the right verdict. I find it overwhelming, in my opinion. I wouldn’t say that unless the jury was separated now. ‘

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