Former Minneapolis Police officer Derek Chauvin has been convicted on all charges in the murder of George Floyd. A 12-person jury in the Hennepin County court found Chauvin guilty of second-degree unintentional murder, third-degree murder and second-degree manslaughter in George Floyd's May 2020 death.
The maximum sentence for second-degree unintentional murder is imprisonment of not more than 40 years. The maximum sentence for third-degree murder is imprisonment of not more than 25 years. The maximum sentence for second-degree manslaughter is 10 years and/or $20,000.
"We're going to try to leave here today knowing that America is a better country," said Floyd family attorney Ben Crump, speaking from Minneapolis. "America, let's pause for a moment to proclaim this historical moment not just for the legacy of George Floyd, but for the legacy of America."
"America, let's frame this moment as a moment where we finally are getting close to living up to our Declaration of Independence," said Crump, before quoting the nation's famous document and adding a timely spin.
"We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equally, that they're endowed by their creator with certain inalienable rights, that amongst them are life, and liberty and the pursuit of happiness," Crump said. "America, that means all of us. That means Black people. That means Hispanic people. That means Native people. That means Asian people. That means all of us, America.
"We frame this moment for all of us, not just for George Floyd. This is a victory for those who champion humanity over inhumanity, those who champion justice over injustice, those who champion morals over immorality. America, let's lean into this moment," he said.
CNN reports that Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison and his team of prosecutors have thanked the Floyd family after the verdict was announced.
“Over the last year, the family of George Floyd had to relive again and again, the worst day of their lives, when they lost their brother, their father, their friend,” Ellison said. “I'm profoundly grateful to them for giving us the time we needed to prosecute this case. They have shown the world what grace and class and courage really look like."