(CNN) –– Guilty on all counts: that was the verdict of the jury in Derek Chauvin’s trial for George Floyd’s death.
The jury found Chauvin guilty of unintentional manslaughter, unintentional homicide with contempt for life, and unintentional manslaughter when committing a crime.
The jurors deliberated this Monday for 4 hours and resumed the deliberation this morning at 8 am local time. The court did not specify in the notice when the jurors stopped deliberating.
Chauvin, 45, was charged with unintentional manslaughter, unintentional homicide with contempt for life, and unintentional manslaughter in the commission of a crime, of which he pleaded not guilty. Costs must be considered separately. So Chauvin could be convicted by anyone, some or none of them.
George Floyd’s brother, Philonise Floyd, responded to the news that there was a verdict and told CNN’s Sara Sidner that he had not been told until she called him. “This is a historic case for the United States. For the family, this is very personal, ”Floyd told CNN.
“The mere fact that the police officer has been charged is as it should be,” he added. And he noted that he will appear in court if the verdict is read.
The arguments in Floyd’s case
The jury began to deliberate after the day of the last arguments of the prosecution and defense this Monday. To wrap up his case, a prosecutor said that Chauvin knelt on Floyd’s neck and back for 9 minutes and 29 seconds because of his pride and ego in front of concerned witnesses.
He wouldn’t let those passers-by tell him what to do. He would do what he wanted, how he wanted, as long as he wanted. And there was nothing, nothing they could do about it, because he had the authority. He had the power, and the other cops, bystanders, didn’t, “District Attorney Steve Schleicher said.” He tried to win, and George Floyd paid for it with his life. “
The comments about Chauvin’s pride and ego marked the first time prosecutors specifically discussed the ex-cop’s mindset when Floyd died on May 25, 2020. eminently dangerous to others accused of him.
In response, attorney Eric Nelson said Chauvin was acting like a “sensible cop” in that situation. He also added that there was no evidence that Chauvin used intentional or willful violence that was illegal.
“You have to see it by the standard of a reasonable cop. You have to keep in mind that officers are people who are capable of making mistakes in situations of great stress, ”said Nelson. , it was known to be an authorized use of force, however unattractive it may be. This is a reasonable doubt, “he insisted.
Prosecutor Jerry Blackwell then dismissed the defense’s claim that Floyd died of a condition known as dilated heart or dilated cardiomyopathy.
“The reason George Floyd died is because Mr. Chauvin’s heart is too small,” he said.
Judge Peter Cahill later briefed jurors on Monday before and after closing arguments about the law. Finally, he sent them out of court just after 5:00 p.m. Miami to begin deliberations on the verdict due next Tuesday.
The George Floyd case
During the trial, prosecutors called 38 witnesses to testify. They included experts in police use of force who criticized Chauvin and medical experts who explained how Floyd died. The defense called seven of his own witnesses, but not Chauvin himself, because he appealed to his Fifth Amendment not to testify.
The end of the trial comes 11 months after Floyd’s death, on a Minneapolis street, sparked widespread protests over police treatment of blacks.
Tensions across the region are high and authorities have tightened security around Minneapolis. The Hennepin County Government Center has been surrounded by fences and barricades since jury selection began in March. Last week, teams installed barbed wire around some police buildings. National Guard troops have also been deployed to parts of downtown Minneapolis.
Gov. Tim Walz asked for additional help from Ohio and Nebraska law enforcement officials ahead of the verdict, according to a press release from his office on Monday.
With input from Eric Levenson and Aaron Cooper.