George Floyd killing: Former police officer Derek Chauvin guilty of murder

Mr Floyd, a 46-year-old black man, died while being restrained by Chauvin who is white, during his arrest in Minneapolis.

A jury has unanimously convicted Derek Chauvin of the murder of George Floyd.

Former Minneapolis police officer Chauvin had denied charges of second-degree murder, third-degree murder and second-degree manslaughter.

But after 10 and a half hours of deliberations, the jury convicted the 45-year-old on all counts.

Chauvin, whose face was obscured by a COVID mask, showed little emotion as the guilty verdicts were read out.

He was remanded in custody, handcuffed and led out of the courtroom.

Under Minnesota’s sentencing guidelines, he faces 12 and a half years in prison for his murder conviction as a first-time offender but prosecutors could seek a maximum of 40 years if the judge determined there were “aggravating factors”.

Outside the court building, a crowd of several hundred people erupted in cheers when the verdicts were announced.

There were emotional scenes, as people hugged each other and cried. Chants of “George FloAt Minneapolis’s George Floyd Square, where Mr Floyd was killed and which is now named after him, people screamed, applauded and wept.

The site has become a rallying point for racial justice protests.

US President Joe Biden, First Lady Jill Biden, and Vice President Kamala Harris called Mr Floyd’s family moments after the verdict.

Mr Biden told them: “Nothing is going to make it all better, but at least now there is some justice.

“We’re all so relieved.”

Mrs Harris promised them: “We’re going to make something good come out of this tragedy.”

Later, speaking from the White House, Mr Biden said Chauvin’s conviction “can be a giant step forward” for the nation against systemic racism.

Ben Crump, a lawyer for Mr Floyd’s family, said afterwards: “America, let’s pause for a moment to proclaim this historical moment, not just for the legacy of George Floyd but for the legacy of America.

“This is a victory for those who champion humanity over inhumanity, those who champion justice over injustice.”yd” and “All three counts” also broke out.

Mr Floyd, a 46-year-old black man, died while being restrained by Chauvin, who is white, during his arrest in the US city in May 2020.

Video filmed by bystanders showed Chauvin’s knee pressed into Mr Floyd’s neck and back for almost nine minutes as he gasped for breath.

The footage shocked the world and sparked global protests about racism and police brutality.

An unarmed Mr Floyd had been apprehended after allegedly trying to use a counterfeit $20 note to buy cigarettes at a neighbourhood shop in Minneapolis – something senior police officers had said would not normally warrant arrest.

However, Chauvin’s lawyer argued the former officer had acted reasonably because Mr Floyd kept struggling and he had actually died due to drugs found in his system – both arguments were dismissed by the jury’s guilty verdict.

Skynews.