George Floyd officer convicted of murder

• Posted on April 21, 2021April 21, 2021
• by Nana Kwesi Coomson
• Comment

Former Minneapolis Police officer Derek Chauvin has been convicted on all charges in the death of George Floyd.

Chauvin faces up to 40 years in prison for second-degree murder, up to 25 years for third-degree murder and up to 10 years for second-degree manslaughter.

Floyd died in May 2020 after Chauvin placed his knee on Floyd’s neck while he pleaded, “I can’t breathe.”

After Derek Chauvin was found guilty of all three charges against him for the murder of George Floyd, Floyd’s girlfriend Courteney Ross told reporters outside the courthouse that she hadn’t doubted this would be the outcome reached.“This is a huge day for the world,” she said.

“We’re finally starting to see. We walked around with eyes wide shut for a long time, so they’re starting to open today, and this is going to be the first in a future of change,” Ross added. “For me, it means that my friends and people that have also lost loved ones now have a chance to get their cases reopened.”

Ross said Floyd brought change: “He changed my world. He changed the world. He changed everybody.”

Minnesota attorney general commends those who recorded video for “simple yet profound acts of courage”

Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison praised the community members who recorded the video of former Minneapolis Police officer Derek Chauvin placing his knee on George Floyd’s neck.

“They stopped and they raised their voices because they knew what they were seeing was wrong. They didn’t need to be medical professions or experts in the use of force. They knew it was wrong, and they were right. These community members, this bouquet of humanity, did it again in this trial. They performed simple yet profound acts of courage,” Ellison said. “They told the truth, and they told the whole world the truth about what they saw.”

“What happened on that street was wrong. …. We owe them our gratitude for fulfilling their civic duty and for their courage in telling the truth,” he added. “To countless people in Minnesota and across the United States who join them in peacefully demanding justice for George Floyd, we say, all of us, thank you.”

Minneapolis mayor: The jury “refused to look away” and affirmed that Floyd “should still be here today”

Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey commended the jury following the conviction of former Minneapolis Police officer Derek Chauvin.

Chauvin was found guilty on all three charges in the murder of George Floyd.

“George Floyd came to Minneapolis to better his life. But ultimately his life will have bettered our city,” Frey tweeted. “The jury joined in a shared conviction that has animated Minneapolis for the last 11 months. They refused to look away and affirmed he should still be here today.”

What it was like in the courtroom when the verdict was read

-CNN