Washington: A US jury in the state of Minnesota on Tuesday found former Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin guilty in the African-American George Floyd murder case.The Jury found him guilty on three charges: second-degree murder, third-degree murder and second-degree manslaughter.
On May 25, 2020, while trying to arrest Floyd, the cop knelt on Floyd's neck for more than nine minutes. In the video, Floyd could be heard saying: "I can’t breathe" when Chauvin’s knee was on his neck. Subsequently, Floyd became unconscious and died at a hospital.
The incident happened when the police responded to a call from a convenience store where Floyd was accused of passing a counterfeit $20 bill.The incident triggered mass protest across the world.Chauvin, 45, could be sent behind the bar for many decades.
The judge after reading Tuesday's verdicts said Chauvin will be sentenced in eight weeks, will remain in custody, and bail revoked.The Floyd family's lawyer, Ben Crump welcomed the verdict.
"Painfully earned justice has finally arrived for George Floyd’s family. This verdict is a turning point in history and sends a clear message on the need for accountability of law enforcement. Justice for Black America is justice for all of America," Mr Crump tweeted after the verdict.
Ahead of the verdict, National Guard troops were deployed in Minneapolis to maintain law and order.
Dozens gather at spot where George Floyd died nearly year ago, to pay tribute
Minneapolis, Apr 21 (UNI) Dozens gathered near a convenience store in Minneapolis, a place where George Floyd died nearly a year ago, to pay tribute to the African American and celebrate a court’s decision to convict a policeman of his murder.
The celebration peacefully moved to the place now known as the George Floyd square - a blocked intersection with a makeshift memorial - from the downtown court area, a Sputnik correspondent reported.People would sing and chant, pause for a silent prayer. The crowd mostly dispersed ahead of a curfew still in effect across the city.
No enhanced police presence was visible in the area. A Sputnik reporter saw no altercations in the downtown or in the square located in the middle of a troubled residential neighborhood.
On Tuesday, the jury found former Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin guilty of second-degree unintentional murder, third-degree murder and second-degree manslaughter.(UNI)
