MINNEAPOLIS —
- Jury finds Derek Chauvin guilty on all counts
- Community members reacted with tears, hugs, chants after decision
- Some businesses sent employees home in anticipation
- Chauvin charged with 2nd, 3rd-degree murder, 2nd-degree manslaughter
The jury found Derek Chauvin guilty on all charges in the May 25, 2020 death of George Floyd. The charges include second and third-degree murder, and second-degree manslaughter.
Chauvin’s conviction marks only the second known time a police officer has been convicted of murder in Minnesota, and the first time such a conviction has been won against a white officer who killed a Black man. The first murder conviction for a Minnesota officer was that of Mohamed Noor, a Somali officer convicted of third-degree murder and manslaughter in the shooting death of Justine Ruszczyk Damond, a white woman.
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. Those sentences would likely be served concurrently, not consecutively, since they are all for the same crime. The presumptive sentences, however, are 12 and a half years for each murder charge and four years for the manslaughter charge. The judge could consider a heavier sentence based on an upward departure motion from the prosecution and other information discovered during the presentence investigation.
9 p.m.
A large crowd is gathered at George Floyd Square in south Minneapolis hours after a jury found former officer Derek Chauvin guilty in George Floyd's death. People have been gathering at multiple sites throughout the Twin Cities, including a demonstration outside the Hennepin County Government Center when the verdict was being read.
6:45 p.m.
Darnella Frazier, the teen bystander who captured video of George Floyd's death, posted on Facebook her reaction to Derek Chauvin being found guilty on all counts.
"I just cried so hard," Frazier wrote, "This last hour my heart was beating so fast, I was so anxious, anxiety bussing through the roof. But to know GUILTY ON ALL 3 CHARGES !!! THANK YOU GOD THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU George Floyd we did it!! justice has been served"
Crowds continue to gather across Minneapolis reacting to the verdict. Many have gathered outside the Hennepin County Government Center as well as at George Floyd Square at 38th Street and Chicago Avenue – the intersection where Floyd was killed.
5:35 p.m.
George Floyd's family spoke for the first time since the decision was announced that Derek Chauvin was found guilty on all three counts. In the press conference, the family was joined by Rev. Al Sharpton and attorney Ben Crump.
"I feel relieved today that I finally have the opportunity to hopefully get some sleep," said Philonise Floyd, George's brother. "A lot of days that I prayed, and I hoped and I was speaking everything into existence. I said, 'I have faith that he will be convicted.'"
5 p.m.
People outside the Hennepin County Government Center are beginning to march as they continue to celebrate the decision that Derek Chauvin was found guilty on all three charges. People in the crowd can be heard chanting "Say his name...George Floyd," a call that has been echoed at several demonstrations throughout the trial.
4:15 p.m.
Community members reacted with tears, hugs and prayers after the jury found Derek Chauvin guilty on all charges. Crowds of people are gathered outside the Hennepin County Government Center and at George Floyd Square at 38th Street and Chicago Avenue – the location where George Floyd was killed.
4:05 p.m.
Derek Chauvin was found guilty on all charges – second and third-degree murder, and second-degree manslaughter.
3:50 p.m.
A crowd continues to grow outside the Hennepin County Government Center ahead of the verdict being read in the Derek Chauvin trial. The announcement is expected to come at any moment.
3:25 p.m.
Community members are gathering at George Floyd Square at 38th Street and Chicago Avenue in Minneapolis in anticipation of the verdict being announced in the Derek Chauvin trial.
3:20 p.m.
Minneapolis Public Schools announced that all after-school activities will be canceled in anticipation of the verdict being announced in the Derek Chauvin trial.
School officials say schools will be letting out at their normal time.
3 p.m.
A number of downtown Minneapolis businesses are closing in anticipation of the verdict being read in the Derek Chauvin trial.
According to NBC's Madison Carter, people are also walking toward the Hennepin County Government Center ahead of the verdict being announced.
The jury is expected to read the verdict between 3:30 and 4 p.m. CT.