Former Police officer Derek Chauvin, who is infamous for murdering a Black man, George Floyd, in May last year has finally come to an end, as jury reached a unanimous verdict of guilty for Chauvin.
Having lasted for three weeks, the trial of former police officer, Derek Chauvin, who is accused of murdering George Floyd, has finally come to an end. After a day of jury deliberations, verdicts were being read – he was found guilty of second-degree unintentional murder, third-degree murder and second-degree manslaughter of George Floyd.
The verdict set off jubilation mixed with sorrow across Minneapolis and around the nation, as scores of people were seen pouring into the streets of Minneapolis, with some even running through traffic with banners. Drivers also blared their horns in celebration.
It was a relief for Floyd’s family. “Today, we are able to breathe again.” Said Floyd’s younger brother, Philonise, during a joyous family news conference. The family likened Floyd to the 1955 Mississippi lynching victim Emmett Till.
Many of his neighbors were also very glad Chauvin was found guilty of murdering Floyd.
The jury was formed by six whites and six Black or multiracial people. After about 10 hours of deliberations over two days, Chauvin was found guilty inside the courtroom, with his bail being revoked immediately. He will be sentenced to jail in two months. He could be sentenced to 40 years in prison.
Handcuffed and taken away to prison, Chauvin left the courtroom, with his defence attorney Eric Nelson following him, without adding any comment.
Being informed of the news, President Joe Biden welcomed the verdict, as he said in a tweet, “Floyd’s death was ‘a murder in full light of day, and it ripped the blinders off for the whole world’ to see systemic racism.” Despite this, he warned this is only one step closer to resolving problems brought by racists, saying Washington would deliver real change and reform, and everyone has to do more to avert tragedies like the murder of George Floyd.
Problems brought by racists still have a great impact on America, as some are still spreading anti-Asian and anti-Black rhetoric across the country. But this verdict gives hope, according to civil rights leader Martin Luther King III. In spite of the momentary and fleeting hopes, the civil rights leader said, this might be the beginning of the restoration of believing a justice system can work.
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