Derek Chauvin, a former Minneapolis Officer Derek Chauvin has been found guilty of murder and manslaughter of George Floyd. He was filmed kneeling on Mr Floyd’s neck for more than nine minutes during his arrest last May.
The death of Mr Floyd’s death took place in May. It ignited worldwide protests against racism and police brutality after a video went viral showing Mr. Chauvin pinning Mr Floyd’s neck to the ground for minutes with his knee.
On Tuesday, the jury reached its verdict and found Mr Chauvin, 45, guilty on all three charges — second-degree murder, third-degree murder and second-degree manslaughter. His bail was immediately revoked and he was placed in custody. Sentencing is likely to happen in two months, and Chauvin could spend decades in jail.
In Minnesota, second-degree murder carries a maximum sentence of 40 years in prison. Third-degree murder is punishable by up to 25 years in prison. Second-degree manslaughter is punishable by up to 10 years in prison.
Clips of the court proceeding showed Mr Chauvin, who wore a light gray suit, white shirt and blue tie, with little emotion while the verdict was read, before he was whisked out of the courtroom, cuffed to the back.
The 12-member jury took less than a day to reach their verdict, which followed a highly-charged, three-week trial that left Minneapolis on edge.
Several hundred people celebrated outside the court as the verdict was announced. This case is historic as it shows the struggle against racism and police brutality against blacks in the United States of America.
