NZNTV

HANDCRUFFTS Derek Chauvin, the former Minneapolis cop who kneeled on George Floyd’s neck for more than nine minutes, killing the 46-year-old Black man, has been found guilty of all charges against him.

After more than three weeks of arguments and less than two full days of deliberation, six white, four Black, and two mixed-race jurors determined that Chauvin was guilty of second-degree murder, third-degree murder and second-degree manslaughter. 

He will now be sentenced on three convictions that carry a total of up to 65 years in prison for his role in Floyd’s death.

Charge: Third-Degree Murder
Verdict: Guilty
Under Minnesota law, the prosecution had to prove that Chauvin committed an act that was “eminently dangerous to others,” and that resulted in a death. However, they did not have to prove that Chauvin intended to kill Floyd. The charge is punishable in the state by up to 25 years in prison.

Charge: Second-Degree murder
Verdict: Guilty
Second-degree murder was Chauvin’s most severe charge. Under Minnesota law, prosecutors had to prove that Chauvin caused Floyd’s death while committing a crime, regardless of intent. Chauvin’s crime, in this case, was assault in the third degree. The charge is punishable in the state by up to 40 years in prison.

Charge: Second-Degree Manslaughter
Verdict: Guilty
Under Minnesota law, prosecutors had to prove Chauvin took an “unreasonable risk” of causing death, regardless of what his intentions were, when he kneeled on Floyd’s neck and back for more than nine minutes. The charge is punishable in the state by up to 10 years in prison.


After the verdict was read, cheers from the crowd gathered in the street could be heard from inside the Hennepin County Courthouse in Minneapolis. Moments later, Chauvin was taken out of the courtroom in handcuffs.