Chauvin convicted of murder in George Floyd’s death
Minneapolis, Apr 20 (EFE).- Former police officer Derek Chauvin was convicted here Tuesday of second-degree murder for the May 2020 death of African-American George Floyd.
The 12-person jury also found Chauvin guilty on the other two counts brought against the fired Minneapolis policeman: third-degree murder and second-degree manslaughter.
As this is his first conviction, Chauvin, 45, could expected to receive a sentence of 12.5 years under Minnesota state guidelines, but prosecutors say the penalty should be stiffer due to what they consider aggravating factors.
Judge Peter Cahill granted a prosecution motion to revoke bail and Chauvin was taken into custody.
Sentencing will take place in eight weeks, the judge said.
The jurors deliberated for nearly 11 hours over two days following closing arguments by the prosecution and defense on Monday.
“I have to thank you on behalf of the people of the state of Minnesota, for not only jury service, but heavy duty jury service,” Cahill told the jurors.
Chauvin, who is white, knelt on the neck of the 46-year-old Floyd for more than nine minutes while taking him into custody for allegedly passing a counterfeit $20 bill on May 25, 2020.
Floyd, who was handcuffed, repeatedly complained that he could not breathe and onlookers, including an off-duty paramedic, pleaded with Chauvin to get off his neck.
A crowd of more than 600 people gathered outside the courthouse burst into applause and shouts of “justice” as they listened over cell phones to live coverage of the reading of the verdict.
Floyd’s family and one of the attorneys representing them, Ben Crump, said in a statement that the “verdict goes far beyond this city and has significant implications for the country and even the world.”
“Justice for Black America is justice for all of America. This case is a turning point in American history for accountability of law enforcement and sends a clear message we hope is heard clearly in every city and every state,” the statement said. EFE asl-pamp/dr
