Tuesday, April 23, 2024

George Floyd: Policeman Derek Chauvin found guilty of murder

The city of Minnesota had agreed to an $27 million compensation to the Floyd family.

• April 20, 2021
Chauvin kneel on Floyd
A composite of Chauvin kneel on Floyd the latter [Photo credit: DNA India]

Derek Chauvin, the former Minneapolis police officer who was caught on camera kneeling on George Floyd’s neck for about nine minutes, killing the 46-year-old man, has been found guilty.

After more than three weeks of the televised trial, the jury ruled that Mr Chauvin was guilty of second-degree murder, third-degree murder and second-degree manslaughter. 

Mr Chauvin will now be sentenced on three convictions and stands to face almost 65 years in prison for the murder of George Floyd. The other three former officers present when Floyd was killed; J. Alexander Kueng, Thomas K. Lane and Tou Thao, are to be tried in August on charges bordering on aiding and abetting second-degree murder. 

“Painfully-earned justice had finally arrived for George Floyd’s family” said Mr Floyd attorney Benjamin Crump just after the verdict was read.

Mr Chauvin will have 90 days after his sentencing to file an appeal, chances of an appeal being filed are  “virtually guaranteed,” Andrew Wilson, a Minnesota criminal defense attorney, told VICE News. “In the state of Minnesota, he has the right to appeal if there’s a conviction on any count.”

Last month, the city of Minneapolis agreed to a $27 million settlement with the family of George Floyd’s just weeks before the trial was to begin.

The settlement was approved by the City Council on Friday, and  includes a $500,000 contribution from Floyd’s family to the community at a location now widely known as George Floyd Square.

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