Former Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin was convicted Tuesday of second degree murder, third degree murder and manslaughter in the United States fatal arrest of George Floyd, a milestone in the troubled racial history of the United States and an allegation against the law enforcement treatment of black Americans.
The 12-person jury found that the 45-year-old chauvin was criminally responsible for Floyd’s death last year after spending three weeks examining statements from 45 witnesses, including bystanders, police officers and medical experts. The jurors began their deliberations on Monday.
Today a jury did the right thing. But true justice requires much more. Michelle and I send our prayers to the Floyd family, and we stand with those who work to guarantee every American the full measure of justice denied George and so many others. pic.twitter.com/mihZQHqACV
– Barack Obama (@BarackObama) April 20, 2021
EVENTS OF 2020
In a videotaped confrontation on May 25, 2020, the white chauvin held his knee on the back of the neck of Floyd, a 46-year-old black man in handcuffs, for more than nine minutes as he and three colleagues arrested Floyd, who was accused Buying cigarettes in a grocery store on a fake $ 20 bill.
Floyd’s death Protests against racism sparked and police brutality in many cities in the United States and around the world over the past year. The Minneapolis courthouse was surrounded by tall barricades and guarded by National Guard troops. Many downtown companies boarded up their windows as they braced themselves for the verdict.
While the U.S. criminal justice system and juries have long given leeway and protection to law enforcement officers using force to subdue civilians, the jury found in this case that chauvin had crossed the line and used excessive force.
THE SENTENCE
Under Minnesota’s sentencing guidelines, Chauvin faces 12 1/2 years in prison for his first-time murder conviction. However, prosecutors could seek a longer sentence of 40 years maximum if Hennepin District Judge Peter Cahill, who led the trial, determines that there are “aggravating factors”.
In Minnesota, convicted criminals typically leave prison after supervised release after completing two-thirds of their sentences. Chauvin has had no previous criminal convictions.
Chauvin pleaded not guilty of unintentional second degree murder which involved “willful assault”, accidental murder of depraved third degree thoughts which was “an act extremely dangerous to others,” and second degree manslaughter where death was caused by “culpable negligence”.
According to court records, the jury consisted of four white women, two white men, three black men, one black woman and two multiracial women.
PRAY FOR THE RIGHT CONDICTION: COMMANDED
Earlier on Tuesday, US President Joe Biden said he had spoken to members of Floyd’s family by phone.
“They are a good family and they demand peace and quiet no matter what that judgment is. I pray that the judgment is the right judgment, that is – I think it is overwhelming in my opinion. I would not do it.” I wouldn’t say I wouldn’t say this if the jury wasn’t confiscated now, “Biden told reporters at the White House.
The intersection of race and law enforcement has long been controversial in the United States, underscored by a number of fatal incidents involving white cops and blacks in a number of American cities in recent years.
Minneapolis police released Chauvin and three other officers the day after Floyd was arrested. The other three will be tried later that year for an accessory to Floyd’s death.
MEDICAL EXPERTS
A cardiologist, pulmonologist, toxicologist, and forensic pathologist were medical experts called by prosecutors to testify that videos and autopsy results confirmed that Chauvin killed Floyd by pushing his body onto the street in a way that would that had deprived him of oxygen.
The defense argued that Chauvin behaved like a “sensible cop” under the circumstances and tried to cast doubt on the cause of Floyd’s death. Heart disease or even the fumes from the nearby police car could have been factors.
Defense attorney Eric Nelson (left) and the defendant, former Minneapolis Police Officer Derek Chauvin (right), during the trial. (Image credit: AP)
WITNESS STATEMENTS
Darnella Frazier, a teenager who told the jury She took her 9-year-old cousin to the Cup Foods grocery store that evening for snacks. She was among the witnesses called by prosecutors after the jury heard testimony on March 29.
Frazier had made a video on her cell phone showing Floyd’s excruciating ordeal, images that catalyzed the protests that followed. Floyd can be heard on the video screaming for his mother and telling officers he can’t breathe. Finally, Chauvin raised his knee so paramedics could lay Floyd’s limp body on a stretcher.
Other eyewitnesses described the horror and continuing trauma of seeing Floyd die in front of him. Courteney Ross, Floyd’s nearly three-year-old friend, remembered their first kiss and their struggle against opioid addiction together.
Minneapolis Police Chief Medaria Arradondo appeared as a prosecutor’s witness to testify that Chauvin’s actions during the arrest were a gross violation of his education.
CHAUVIN DURING THE PROCESS
During the trial, chauvin, who was free on bail, wore a suit and took notes on yellow notepads while sitting next to defense attorney Eric Nelson. Members of Floyd’s family took turns attending the trial, though some tried to avert their gaze when the multi-angle video of Floyd’s death was played on the jury.
The judge ordered the jury to be confiscated after the deliberations began.
Courtroom seating was limited due to pandemic-related restrictions, so only individual chairs in the back were reserved for Chauvin and Floyd’s families. The chauvin seat was largely unused until at least two women performed in the past few days. Both refused to speak to reporters.
LIVE BROADCAST
The judge had the trial broadcast live in public, first in Minnesota.
US news networks broadcast much of the process live, although coverage was sometimes interrupted by new episodes of police violence caught on camera.
For example, a black motorist named Daunte Wright was fatally shot and killed on April 11 during a traffic obstruction in the Minneapolis suburb in the Brooklyn Center. Wright’s death has also attracted international attention, raising the prospect of yet another trial in Minnesota in which a police officer is accused of excessive violence.
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