Derek Chauvin guilty of murder, manslaughter in death of George Floyd

Source: CBC News:

April 20, 2021 at 23:26

A sign rests next to a candle in New York after the verdict in the trial of former Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin, who was convicted of killing George Floyd on Tuesday. (Caitlin Ochs/Reuters)

Verdict met with relief, jubilation on streets of Minneapolis and across the U.S.

Former Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin was convicted Tuesday of murder and manslaughter in the death of George Floyd, whom he pinned to the pavement, with his knee on the Black man's neck and back, in a case that touched off worldwide protests, violence and a furious re-examination of racism and policing in the U.S.

The jury came back with its verdict after about 10 hours of deliberations over two days, finding Chauvin, 45, guilty on all charges: second-degree unintentional murder, third-degree murder and second-degree manslaughter.

As the judge asked the 12 jurors if they had reached a verdict, outside, a hush fell on the crowd of hundreds in a park adjacent to the courthouse, with people listening to the proceedings on their cellphones.

When the guilty verdict was announced, the crowd roared, many people hugging, some shedding tears.

People elated by the verdict flooded the streets surrounding Hennepin County Government Center in downtown Minneapolis where the three-week trial took place.

The crowd burst into chants of "All three counts" and "Say his name. George Floyd," as drivers beeped their horns and people ran through traffic, waving banners.

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