Watch live coverage as the jury reached a verdict in the trial of former Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin.
Derek Chauvin was found guilty of two counts of murder on Tuesday in the death of George Floyd (age 46). A former Minneapolis police officer, Chauvin is seen on video footage placing his knee on the neck of Floyd on May 25, 2020.
Floyd was arrested for suspicion of using a counterfeit bill. During the arrest, Chauvin knelt on Floyd's neck for nine minutes and 29 seconds after he was lying face down and handcuffed.
Two police officers, J. Alexander Kueng and Thomas Lane, assisted Chauvin in restraining Floyd, while another officer, Tou Thao, prevented bystanders from interfering with the arrest and intervening as events unfolded.
After deliberating for about 10 hours over two days following an emotional trial that lasted three weeks, the jury found Chauvin, guilty of second-degree murder, third-degree murder and second-degree manslaughter for the killing of Floyd.
Mr. Chauvin faces up to 40 years in prison when he is sentenced in the coming weeks but is likely to receive far less time. The presumptive sentence for second-degree murder is 12.5 years, according to Minnesota’s sentencing guidelines, although the state has asked for a higher sentence.
The National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) said Read a portion of their statement following the verdict:
"While justice landed Derek Chauvin behind bars for murdering George Floyd, no amount of justice will bring Gianna's father back. The same way a reasonable police officer would never suffocate an unarmed man to death, a reasonable justice system would recognize its roots in white supremacy and end qualified immunity. Police are here to protect, not lynch. We will not rest until all in our community have the right to breathe. The chapter on Dereck Chauvin may be closed, but the fight for police accountability and respect for Black lives is far from over."
