Photo: ELIJAH NOUVELAGE / AFP via Getty
MINNEAPOLIS, April 21, 2021 ~ Tuesday, former Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin was found guilty of all charges related to the killing of George Floyd, a 46-year old black man who died in May 2020 after Chauvin pinned Floyd’s neck to the ground with his knee for nine minutes and 29 seconds.
Prior to the verdict, thousands of National Guard troops and law enforcement officers were stationed at the courthouse, which was reinforced with concrete barriers and razor wire.
Americans reacted after jurors deliberated for 10 hours over two days, finding Chauvin guilty of second-degree unintentional murder, third-degree murder, and second degree manslaughter. As the judge delivered the final verdict, a stoic Chauvin looked on and a relieved crowd cheered outside.
April 21, 2021 ~ Detroit Police Chief James Craig talks to Paul W. about the Derek Chauvin guilty verdicts and the challenges of policing in Detroit.
April 21, 2021 ~ Criminal Defense Trail Attorney Neil Rockind talks with Rocky Roczkowski about the verdict in the Derek Chauvin trail.
Each conviction holds a different maximum sentence: Second-degree unintentional murder carries 40 years, third-degree murder carries 25 years, and second-degree manslaughter holds 10 years. However, according to sentencing guidelines in Minnesota, for an individual with no prior criminal record, each murder charge carries a presumptive 12.5 year sentence, while the manslaughter charge carries a presumptive four year sentence.
The Minnesota Department of Corrections announced Tuesday that Chauvin is being held at the maximum-security prison in Oak Park Heights, where he is expected to stay for the next eight weeks leading up to his sentencing.
Tou Thao, J. Alexander Kueng, and Thomas Lane, the other three former officers involved in the arrest of George Floyd, will be tried for aiding and abetting unintentional second-degree murder, as well as aiding and abetting second-degree manslaughter. Their trial begins August 23, 2021 in Hennepin County, Minnesota.
SOCIAL MEDIA:
Today, a jury did the right thing. But true justice requires much more. Michelle and I send our prayers to the Floyd family, and we stand with all those who are committed to guaranteeing every American the full measure of justice that George and so many others have been denied. pic.twitter.com/mihZQHqACV
— Barack Obama (@BarackObama) April 20, 2021
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