Jury found cop Derek Chauvin guilty and could face 40 years in prison

White cop Derek Chauvin who crushed African American George Floyd’s neck to death with his knee – a murder that sparked a wave of massive protests against racism and police brutality across the United States – received a harsh verdict on Tuesday: he was found guilty of the three murder and manslaughter charges he faced and can go to jail for 40 years.

Quickly, President Joe Biden celebrated that “justice” has been done At the trial.

It took the jury about 10 hours reach the verdict that put all of the United States on hold. With thousands of people on the streets of Minneapolis amid enormous tensions, with businesses closed and the Guardia Civil on the streets, the 12 people appointed to establish the fate of Constable Derek Chauvin, 45, found him responsible. of death. By Floyd.

By the time the verdict was known – broadcast live on television across the country – a burst of relief and jubilation was heard on the streets of the city. There was a great fear that Chauvin would be acquitted or that he would only be found guilty of a lesser charge. But the decision was the hardest possible. There were tears among the crowds gathered at the corner where Floyd was killed and a makeshift altar was erected.

The jury, composed of 5 white, 4 African-American and 2 mixed race, they had retired to deliberate after Monday night’s allegations at a hotel to stay out of pressure. The verdict was handed down unanimously and was announced in court by the judge.

The jurors are anonymous and are known only to a certain number. There are 7 women and 5 men who have been in isolation since the start of this high-profile trial on March 29.

Biden also denounced “systemic racism” which “stains” the soul of the United States. “The guilty verdict will not bring George back,” he said in a short White House televised speech. But it could mark the time of “significant change”, he added, calling on the nation to “come together” and not allow “extremists who have no interest in social justice” to succeed.

Shortly before the decision was known, the President of the United States, Joe Biden, had felt “overwhelming” evidence against the former white cop and had demanded a “correct” verdict on the second day of jury deliberations in Minneapolis. Biden told reporters at the Oval Office that he spoke by phone with “George’s family,” whom he met last June before Floyd’s funeral.

In the trial that was televised live by mainstream media in the United States, Minnesota State Attorney Steve Schleicher summed up to the jury on Monday what the prosecution has raised since the start of the trial: This agent Chauvin has overtaken in the use of force, that Floyd died from lack of oxygen caused by knee strain in his neck and no medical help was provided before the paramedics arrived.

“George Floyd begged until he couldn’t speak,” the prosecutor continued, saying Chauvin “had all asked for a little compassion and he didn’t show anything that day.”

The defense, led by attorney Eric Nelson, argued that Floyd’s death it was for other reasons, such as underlying illnesses, high blood pressure, opioid use and the stress of the moment, among others. And that Chauvin had acted in due process because Floyd, who had been arrested for allegedly paying with a bogus $ 20, had resisted.

The former agent was charged with three counts, which jurors carefully analyzed:

Second degree murder (when the accused intentionally kills someone, but without premeditation, or when there is no intention, but violence is used to commit the crime), punishable by up to 40 years in prison.

Third degree murder, with a maximum penalty of 25 years, which requires involuntary death, without premeditation, but due to irresponsible or reckless action, as occurs in many road accidents in which a pedestrian is killed.

Manslaughter, that he will spend up to 10 years in prison, which would imply that Floyd’s death occurred as a result of police negligence.

The jury could have cleared him of some or all of the charges. But he decided on a severe sentence finding him responsible for the three. Now Judge Peter Cahil will be the one to hand down the sentence, how many exact years he will have in prison.

However, as he has no criminal record, Chauvin could only face a maximum of 12 and a half years in prison for the first two counts and 4 years in prison for the third.

Chauvin, 45, pleaded not guilty to all charges and used his constitutional right not to testify at his own trial.

The process comes as tension builds across the country over two other high-profile police crimes. That is why the decision was also eagerly awaited. On the streets of Minneapolis, the feeling was that if Chauvin wasn’t found guilty, everything would be wrong.

Another case was very present. Daunte Wright, a 20-year-old black man, was shot dead in a Minneapolis suburb on April 11 by a white policeman who apparently mistook his gun for his Taser, and a 13-year-old boy was killed by police. In Chicago. Wright’s assassination sparked several nights of protests in the city, and before the verdict in the Chauvin case, National Guard troops were deployed to the city, where many companies covered their windows as a precaution. .

“I think we all rightfully celebrate Chauvin’s belief in all respects. George Floyd’s family and community finally have some degree of justice and accountability, ”he said. Clarin Deborah Archer, Professor of law at New York University and co-director of the Center for Race, Inequality and Law at that university.

“The verdict is important and it is certainly a change: for a former officer to be convicted of murder for killing an unarmed black man is still an anomaly in this countrys. I hope this brings comfort to your family and your community. But what we saw was responsibility, not real justice. Because we can’t bring him back. In the end, I think we are still a long way from justice. While Derek Chauvin was on trial, more people of color were killed by police. There is momentary relief, but it doesn’t change our system, ”he added.

“Today we must renew our conviction to create a world where the police have neither the opportunity nor the authority to use violence to harass, attack, oppress and kill black people,” he said. added.

David Schultz, Professor of political science and legal studies at Hamline University, Minneapolis, said Bugle that “this is an important verdict in US law, but it can be interpreted in many ways. If there had been an acquittal, it would have been a major setback for police reform.”

“If this is seen simply as a policeman who has done something wrong, it is a bad apple and there may not be the political will or strength for further reforms. Justice has been served On the other hand, it is possible that this decision is a statement on race, police and justice, and create momentum for further reforms. We have to see how it goes politically. “

Three other former police officers involved in the arrest of Floyd, Tou Thao, Thomas Lane and J. Alexander Kueng, will be tried later.