Crowd Rejoice, As Minneapolis Jury Finds Derek Chauvin Guilty Of Killing George Floyd

The Minneapolis jury in the murder trial of former Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin, has found him guilty of killing George Floyd.

Derek Chauvin was found guilty on all counts Tuesday, April 20, for his involvement in George Floyd’s death, a verdict that could send the disgraced former Minneapolis police officer to prison for the rest of his life.

The judge announced that Chauvin was convicted of second- and -third-degree murder, as well as second-degree manslaughter. He faces up to 75 years in prison when he returns for sentencing in eight weeks.

Second-degree murder carries a maximum sentence of 40 years. Third-degree murder carries a maximum sentence of 25 years. Second-degree manslaughter is punishable by up to 10 years.

The third-degree murder charge had initially been dismissed, but it was reinstated after an appeals court ruling in an unrelated case established new grounds for it days before jury selection started.

Jury selection for the trial began March 9, and opening statements began March 29. The panel of seven women and five men began deliberating Monday evening, April 19, after three weeks of witness testimony.

Prosecutors called 38 witnesses, including the teenager who recorded the viral video that brought global attention to Floyd’s death. She and other bystanders who testified said they are haunted by Floyd’s death and that they wish they had done more to try to save his life. The defense called seven witnesses, two of whom were experts.

Derek Chauvin has been remanded in the custody of the Hennepin County Sheriff. He was directed out of the courtroom in handcuffs moments after the guilty verdict was read in his murder case.

Meanwhile, outside the Minneapolis courthouse where Judge Peter Cahill announced a guilty verdict in Derek Chauvin’s murder case, a crowd screamed joyfully.

The crowd has shouted “Guilty!” once news emerged. There have been huge cheers, with people shouting “Yes!”