Derek Chauvin Found GUILTY of Second Degree Murder, Third Degree Murder, and Second Degree Manslaughter In the Death of George Floyd

BY: Denver Sean

Published 4 years ago

The jury has reached a verdict in the trial of former Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin in the death of George Floyd.

Derek Chauvin has been found GUILTY on count 1 — unintenional 2nd degree murder, GUILTY on count 2 — 3rd degree murder, and GUILTY on count 3 — 2nd degree manslaughter.

This trial has been one of the most closely watched cases in recent memory, setting off a national reckoning on police violence and systemic racism even before the trial commenced.

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The panel of seven women and five men began deliberating Monday after three weeks of witness testimony.

Derek Chauvin was charged with second- and third-degree murder and second-degree manslaughter. The third-degree murder charge had initially been dismissed, but it was reinstated after an appeals court ruling in an unrelated case established new grounds for it days before jury selection started.

Second-degree murder carries a maximum sentence of 40 years. Third-degree murder carries a maximum sentence of 25 years. Second-degree manslaughter is punishable by up to 10 years.

Chauvin, who is white, knelt on Floyd’s neck for several minutes as Floyd, who was Black, was handcuffed and lying on the ground.

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Prosecutors argued that Chauvin’s actions caused Floyd to die from low oxygen, or asphyxia. The defense claimed that Floyd’s illegal drug use and a pre-existing heart condition were to blame and urged jurors not to rule out other theories, as well, including exposure to carbon monoxide.

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