After Chauvin verdict, Washington cousin of George Floyd calls for more police accountability
Chauvin verdict in Minnesota, legislation in Washington state are just the beginning, says George Floyd s cousin Shayla Zartman, who lives in western Washington. Author: Lionel Donovan (KING) Updated: 9:55 PM PDT April 21, 2021
TACOMA, Wash. Derek Chauvin being found guilty for the death of George Floyd was welcome news for Floyd’s cousin, Shayla Zartman. But as Zartman celebrated the results, she was also prepared for a different, and more likely, outcome.
“We see it happen all the time,” Zartman said. “Only 1% of police officers are convicted when they murder someone. So even with as much evidence, even with how well everyone thought the trial was going, there was still a chance, because he’s a police officer, that it would be a not guilty verdict.”
After Chauvin verdict, Washington cousin of George Floyd calls for more police accountability
Chauvin verdict in Minnesota, legislation in Washington state are just the beginning, says George Floyd s cousin Shayla Zartman, who lives in western Washington. Author: Lionel Donovan (KING) Updated: 11:06 PM PDT April 21, 2021
TACOMA, Wash. Derek Chauvin being found guilty for the death of George Floyd was welcome news for Floyd’s cousin, Shayla Zartman. But as Zartman celebrated the results, she was also prepared for a different, and more likely, outcome.
“We see it happen all the time,” Zartman said. “Only 1% of police officers are convicted when they murder someone. So even with as much evidence, even with how well everyone thought the trial was going, there was still a chance, because he’s a police officer, that it would be a not guilty verdict.”
Relief : Washington activists, lawmakers react to Derek Chauvin guilty verdict
Many leaders in western Washington said the guilty verdict for Derek Chauvin is a step in the right direction towards racial justice, but there s still more to do. Author: KING 5 Staff Updated: 11:14 PM PDT April 20, 2021
Chauvin was found guilty Tuesday of second-degree murder, third-degree murder, and manslaughter in the death of Floyd on May 25, 2020. He is expected to be sentenced in the coming weeks.
Floyd’s death last year sparked global protests over systemic racism and police brutality. Some of the demonstrations turned violent, including in Seattle, with demonstrators setting police cars on fire and damaging downtown businesses.