US Court Convicts Chauvin For Floyd’s Murder

Former Minneapolis Police Officer, Derek Chauvin, was convicted, yesterday, on all counts against him in the killing of George Floyd, nearly one year after kneeling on Floyd’s neck in an incident that sparked global protests against police brutality.
After less than 24 hours of deliberations, the jury returned guilty verdicts against Chauvin, finding him guilty of second-degree murder, third-degree murder and second-degree manslaughter in the death of Floyd on May 25, 2020.
Under Minnesota law, Chauvin can appeal his conviction after the court enters the judgment and he receives his sentence.
Hennepin County Judge, Peter Cahill, said sentencing will take place in eight weeks.
Chauvin’s bail was revoked, and he was remanded to custody.
Chauvin was accused of murdering Floyd by keeping his knee on Floyd’s neck — depriving Floyd of oxygen — during an arrest.
Over the course of the 14-day trial, jurors heard from more than 40 witnesses from both the state and Chauvin’s defense team and viewed video footage from the incident, including that filmed by police body cameras.
Prosecutors argued throughout the trial that Chauvin kept his knee on Floyd’s neck despite Floyd’s cries for help and acted against Minneapolis Police Department policies when he restrained Floyd — an assertion that was supported by several high-ranking police officials who testified that Chauvin’s conduct was unnecessary and excessive.
“On May 25, 2020, Derek Chauvin put his knees upon (Floyd’s) neck and back, grinding and crushing him until the very breath, the very life, was squeezed out of him,” prosecuting attorney, Jerry Blackwell, told jurors on the first day of the trial.”