Minneapolis, MN – After weeks of highly-publicized and emotionally charged testimony, a jury has reached a verdict in the trial of former Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin for the murder of George Floyd. The verdict was announced on Tuesday, April 20th, 2021, after the jury deliberated for over 10 hours.
The jury found Chauvin guilty on all three charges: second-degree unintentional murder, third-degree murder, and second-degree manslaughter. This landmark decision marks a major turning point in the national conversation about police brutality and racial injustice.
The verdict comes after a high-profile trial that captivated the attention of people around the world. During the trial, prosecutors argued that Chauvin used excessive force when he knelt on George Floyd’s neck for more than nine minutes, ultimately leading to his death. The defense claimed that Chauvin’s actions were justified and that other factors, such as Floyd’s drug use and underlying health conditions, played a role in his death.
The jury, made up of six white people, four Black people, and two multiracial people, listened to 45 witnesses over the course of three weeks before delivering their verdict. The trial was closely watched by people across the country, who saw it as a pivotal moment in the ongoing struggle for racial justice.
In the wake of the verdict, both Floyd’s family and Chauvin’s defense team expressed their reactions. Floyd’s brother, Philonise Floyd, said the verdict was “a pivotal moment for America” and that “we can’t stop here.” Chauvin’s defense team, meanwhile, said they would appeal the verdict, arguing that the judge’s decision to not sequester the jury during the trial and the intense media coverage of the case had influenced the outcome.
The verdict in the Chauvin trial has been met with widespread relief and celebration among those who have been advocating for racial justice and police reform. It remains to be seen what impact this verdict will have on policing practices and the broader fight for racial equity, but it is clear that this trial will be remembered as a pivotal moment in American history.
