Former Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin has been found guilty on all counts in the death of George Floyd, whose death in custody following the officer’s kneeling on Floyd’s neck sparked nationwide protests and international focus on racial bias in the United States.
The jury’s decision came as Chauvin, 45, listened to being found guilty of charges the prosecutors had filed including unintentional second-degree murder, third-degree murder, and second-degree manslaughter.
In one of the most widely-watched videos shot during the police action against Floyd last summer, Chauvin was filmed kneeling on the neck of the 46-year-old African American man for more than nine minutes as he disregarded the handcuffed Floyd’s cries that he was choking.
Artist Haider Ali drew a picture of George Floyd, Credit: Haider Ali Facebook Page
The jury deliberated for ten hours and when Judge Peter Cahill read out its verdict, he thanked the members for their “heavy-duty jury service” in the case that saw an unprecedented focus and protests on race issues despite the pandemic.
As laid out in the law, Chauvin could get 12.5 years in prison for a conviction on unintentional second-degree murder. The prosecutors also have the option to press 40 years’ sentencing.
