J.C. Derrick
After about 10 hours of deliberation, a Minneapolis jury returned a guilty verdict for former police officer Derek Chauvin, who was standing trial for murder.
Chauvin knelt on George Floyd’s neck for nine minutes last year in a widely circulated video that touched off racial justice protests and calls for policing reform around the country.
Chauvin faces up to 40 years in prison after the jury—comprised of five men and seven women—found him guilty of second-degree murder, third-degree murder and second-degree manslaughter.
Judge Peter Cahill read the verdict late Tuesday afternoon and then dismissed the jury.
Cities across the country had braced for more protests in the leadup to the verdict. Crowds outside the courtroom cheered and wept at the news of the jury’s verdict, the Associated Press reported.
Chauvin, who was previously free on bail, will await sentencing behind bars.
After the verdict, Gainesville Mayor Lauren Poe released a statement expressing “love and solidarity” with George Floyd’s family and all those affected by Floyd’s killing.
“This was not justice,” Poe said. “Justice would be George Floyd alive and well.”
Poe called on all members of the community to join in a proclamation of peace.
“In Gainesville, we will continue push forward in our effort to create a just, fair and equitable city for each of our neighbors,” Poe said.