Following a three-week-long trial, the jury in Derek Chauvin‘s trial has reached a verdict. The jury found the former police officer guilty of the unintentional second-degree murder, third-degree murder, and second-degree manslaughter of 46-year-old George Floyd. It was a unanimous decision.
As the verdicts were read allowed by the judge, Chauvin, who was wearing a mask, did not make any major reaction.
The jury, as NBC News reported, consisted of seven women and five men of multiple different races. The group began deliberating on Monday, April 19. Specifically, Chauvin was charged with second unintentional murder, third-degree murder, and second-degree manslaughter.
Jury Comes to Unanimous Decision in the Murder Trial of Derek Chauvin
As it has been widely reported, Chauvin stands trial after he knelt on Floyd’s neck for more than 9 minutes as Floyd was handcuffed and lying on the ground on his stomach. During that time, recorded videos revealed that Floyd yelled out multiple times that he could not breathe.
“I think I know what they have decided,” Floyd’s brother told CNN when he learned that the jury had come to a conclusion. What he believed the jury believed in this historic trial was not publicly reported.
The jury deliberated for roughly 11 hours before handing in their verdict. According to NBC News, prosecutors argued that Chauvin’s actions of kneeling on Floyd’s neck resulted in low oxygen, which led to Floyd’s death. However, the defense claimed that illegal drug use and a pre-existing heart condition were to blame for his death.
A total of 38 witnesses took the stand during the trial, many of whom said they are haunted by witnessing Floyd’s passing. An unintentional second-degree murder charge carries a maximum sentence of 40 years while being convicted of third-degree murder carries a maximum sentence of 25 years. And second-degree manslaughter is punishable by up to 10 years.
Courtney Ross, George Floyd’s girlfriend, also testified during the trial. “He was funny, fearful, a man of god, and out of this world,” Ross told the media while awaiting the verdict. “He was a big man, too big for this world.”
Chauvin will be sentenced at a later date.
George Floyd and Derek Chauvin both had family members present during the trial. Floyd was a father and left behind children who loved him dearly.
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