Publishing date: Apr 20, 2021 • 14 minutes ago • 5 minute read • Demonstrators march through downtown Minneapolis demanding justice for George Floyd and Daunte Wright while jury deliberations begin for former Minneapolis Police officer Derek Chauvin s murder trial at the Hennepin County Government Center in Minneapolis April 19, 2021. Photo by Octavio Jones /REUTERS
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MINNEAPOLIS Former Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin was convicted on Tuesday of murdering George Floyd, a milestone in the fraught racial history of the United States and a rebuke of law enforcement’s treatment of Black Americans.
A 12-member jury found Chauvin, 45, guilty of all three charges of second-degree murder, third-degree murder and manslaughter after considering three weeks of testimony from 45 witnesses, including bystanders, police officials and medical experts. Deliberations began on Monday and lasted just over 10 hours.
USA TODAY
Former Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin began his first full day in state prison Wednesday after he was found guilty of murdering George Floyd in a landmark trial.
Chauvin was convicted of second-degree murder, third-degree murder and second-degree manslaughter after Floyd s death in police custody last May.
Tears of joy, relief and resolve to continue fighting for racial justice filled the streets of Minneapolis and around the nation after the verdict was read Tuesday afternoon.
Chauvin knelt on Floyd s neck for more than nine minutes, and in video footage of his death, Floyd repeatedly said he couldn t breathe. After the verdict was announced, his brother, Philonise Floyd, said, Today we are able to breathe again.
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“GUILTY!” they yelled. “All three!”
Horns began blaring across the city as the crowd gleefully chanted George Floyd‘s name, no longer an angry cry, but one of happiness.
“Say his name! GEORGE FLOYD!”
Monday afternoon, Selena McKnight was in tears as she explained how racist policing has devastated Black communities like hers, as she helped lead a protest march around the courthouse.
Less than 24 hours, outside the courthouse, tears were again in her eyes. She threw her arms around her 18-year-old daughter and joined the crowd in cheers.
“This means everything. This is long, long overdue,” said McKnight, 46. “This feels good. But this doesn’t stop here. We have to keep going.”
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