Guilty on all three counts is the verdict from the jury this afternoon in the Derek Chauvin case. Chauvin was convicted of second-degree unintentional murder, third-degree murder and second-degree manslaughter. Most analysts agree an appeal is likely, and some say it could go as far as the U-S Supreme Court. Chauvin, who was masked, appeared stern and glanced around the courtroom as the verdict was read. Soon after he was led away in handcuffs. George Floyd’s brother Philonise hugged two of the prosecutors and Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison after the verdicts were read. President Biden said earlier he was “praying” for a guilty verdict. Senator Amy Klobuchar calls it “a first step toward accountability.” Senator Tina Smith says it is “a moment to recommit ourselves to… racial justice.” Governor Tim Walz says “the trial is over, but our work has only begun.” He says, “True justice for George only comes through real, systemic change to prevent this from happening again.” House Speaker, Democrat Melissa Hortman says “our work is far from done.” And Senate Republican Majority Leader Paul Gazelka says, “Though no verdict will bring George Floyd back, I pray the Floyd family today is in some way comforted knowing the judicial system has provided justice.” Earlier today, activist Nekima-Levy Armstrong called on President Biden and local leaders to enact police and criminal justice reforms and said “we are suffering as black people in the state of Minnesota. We do not feel safe, we know that at any moment police officers can kill another black body and get away with it–in spite of what we heard during the Derek Chauvin trial.” Attorney General Ellison today said
“George Floyd mattered, he was loved by his family and friends. His death shocked the conscience of our community, our country, the whole world…he mattered because he was a human being. Ellison thanked the jury, his legal team and the Floyd family for giving the legal team time to prosecute the case. Ellison also said he knows the verdict doesn’t take away their pain, but he hopes it helps to put them on the path to healing.