Derek Chauvin found guilty of all 3 charges in George Floyd's murder
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A jury on Tuesday found former Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin guilty of second-degree murder, third-degree murder and second-degree manslaughter in George Floyd's death.
Why it matters: This rare conviction of a police officer may come to be seen as a defining moment in America's collective reckoning with issues of race and justice.
- Video of Chauvin holding his knee to Floyd's neck for more than 9 minutes as Floyd pleaded that he couldn't breathe sparked global protests.
The state of play: The verdict was announced after the jury deliberated for more than 10 hours.
- Reporters in the room noted that the jury gave "no noticeable emotional reactions" as the judge read the verdict.
- Chauvin was placed in handcuffs and led away after the verdict was read.
- A crowd gathered outside the court cheered.
What's next: A sentencing decision will be rendered in the coming weeks.
- Chauvin faces a likely sentence of up to 12 years behind bars for the second-degree murder charge, though the judge could go higher if jurors find aggravating factors.
- Former Minneapolis police officers Thomas Lane, J.A. Kueng and Tou Thao are scheduled to be tried for aiding and abetting second-degree murder and manslaughter in Floyd's death on Aug. 23.
The big picture: Following the verdict, President Biden and Vice President Harris spoke to Floyd's family on the phone.
- "Nothing is going to make it all better, but at least ... now there's some justice," President Biden said.
On the hill, via Axios' Kadia Goba: Lawmakers collectively let out a sigh of relief. More than a dozen members of the Congressional Black Caucus huddled around a laptop as the judge read guilty verdicts on all three charges.
- Rep. Ayanna Pressley (D-Mass.) clutched Rep. Mondaire Jones (D-N.Y.).
Go deeper...
- "Painfully earned justice has finally arrived for George Floyd’s family": Nation reacts to Chauvin verdict
- Van Jones: Chauvin verdict the "beginning of something"
- Minneapolis reflects on Chauvin verdict as a step toward healing and calm
- In photos: Tears, hugs, cheers as U.S. reacts to Chauvin guilty verdict
- Minnesota AG Keith Ellison: "We need true justice"
Editor's note: This story has been updated throughout.
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