(VOVWORLD) - Derek Chauvin, a former Minneapolis police officer, was found guilty of second-degree murder, third-degree murder and second-degree manslaughter. The death of George Floyd spurred the largest civil rights protests in decades.
 Former Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin (Photo: Sky) |
The maximum sentence Chauvin could face is 40 years for second-degree murder, 25 years for third-degree murder and 10 years for second-degree manslaughter.
The jury had been deliberating for about 10 hours over two days, following closing arguments. The jury heard from 45 witnesses, including bystanders, police officials and medical experts in 3 weeks. Judge Peter Cahill said he expected to begin a sentencing hearing in about eight weeks.
Thousands of people, especially in Minneapolis, where the incident happened, flocked to the streets to agree with the court's ruling.
US President Joe Biden postponed planned remarks on his infrastructure package to talk about Derek Chauvin case. On Tuesday, Biden called the conviction of former Minneapolis Police Officer Derek Chauvin in the killing of George Floyd “can be a giant step forward in the march toward justice in America.”