Ex-cop Derek Chauvin convicted of all charges in George Floyd's death

[BumRushDaShow]

Last edited Tue Apr 20, 2021, 05:37 PM - Edit history (6)

Source: CBS News

Former Minneapolis Officer Derek Chauvin was convicted Tuesday on all counts in the death of George Floyd in a case that sparked worldwide protests and a reckoning on race in the U.S. After about a day of deliberations, the jury found Chauvin guilty of unintentional second-degree murder, third-degree murder and second-degree manslaughter.

Judge Peter Cahill read the verdict at the heavily secured Hennepin County Government Center in downtown Minneapolis, where the trial began last month. A cheer could be heard from the crowd of peaceful protesters that had gathered outside. Chauvin showed little reaction after the verdict was announced. Judge Cahill announced his bail had been revoked and Chauvin was led away in handcuffs.

The jury — made up of six White people, four Black people and two multiracial people — heard 13 days of sometimes emotional testimony. Judge Cahill sent the jurors to begin deliberations after attorneys on both sides concluded lengthy closing arguments Monday. The jury has been sequestered during deliberations, but was not sequestered during the earlier portion of the trial.

In his closing argument, prosecutor Steve Schleicher urged jurors to focus on the video showing Chauvin pressing his knee into Floyd's neck for more than nine minutes. "Believe your eyes," Schleicher said. "Unreasonable force, pinning him to the ground — that's what killed him. This was a homicide."

Read more: https://www.cbsnews.com/live-updates/derek-chauvin-trial-george-floyd-death-verdict-2021-04-20/

---

Original article -

After less than a day of deliberations, jurors announced they have reached a verdict in the trial of Derek Chauvin, the fired Minneapolis police officer charged in George Floyd's death. The verdict is expected to be announced between 3:30 and 4 p.m. local time (4:30 and 5 p.m. ET), according to the court.

The jury -- made up of six White people, four Black people and two biracial people -- heard 13 days of sometimes emotional testimony at the heavily secured Hennepin County Government Center in downtown Minneapolis. Judge Peter Cahill sent the jurors to begin deliberations after attorneys on both sides concluded lengthy closing arguments Monday. The jury has been sequestered during deliberations, but was not sequestered during the earlier portion of the trial.

In his closing argument, prosecutor Steve Schleicher urged jurors to focus on the video showing Chauvin pressing his knee into Floyd's neck for more than nine minutes. "Believe your eyes," Schleicher said. "Unreasonable force, pinning him to the ground -- that's what killed him. This was a homicide." Schleicher said Chauvin showed "indifference" to Floyd's pleas for help and continued restraining the man even after he was unresponsive, ignoring the bystanders who were urging him to ease up.

"This case is exactly what you thought when you first saw it -- when you first saw the video," he said. "It's exactly that. It's exactly what you saw with your eyes. It's exactly what you knew. It's exactly what you felt in your gut. It's what you now know in your heart. This wasn't policing, this was murder."

Original headlines -

- Derek Chauvin guilty of second-degree murder
- Verdict reached in Derek Chauvin trial (- GUILTY count 1, count 2, count 3)

Update -

Link to tweet

TEXT

Jamie Yuccas
@jamieyuccas
2nd degree manslaughter: guilty #DerekChauvinTrial
5:07 PM · Apr 20, 2021

Link to tweet

TEXT

Jamie Yuccas
@jamieyuccas
Third degree murder: guilty #DerekChauvinTrial
5:07 PM · Apr 20, 2021

Link to tweet

TEXT

Jamie Yuccas
@jamieyuccas
Guilty on second degree murder #DerekChauvinTrial
5:06 PM · Apr 20, 2021

Original breaking -

Verdict is in.

Link to tweet

TEXT

CBS News
@CBSNews
JUST IN:
Jamie Yuccas
@jamieyuccas
Verdict is in.
3:33 PM · Apr 20, 2021

[greatauntoftriplets]

1. It'll be announced in about 1 hour. 4:30 p.m. EDT.

[BumRushDaShow]

4. Was refreshing to get CBS's web update (but heard it on the CBS affiliate radio here initially)

[greatauntoftriplets]

22. I heard it on CNN.

Now that I'm back to watching it. Could not deal with the entire trial because I wanted to hit the defense lawyers.

[hlthe2b]

2. I think this is a good sign for at least one or more count convictions.

we'll see.

[liberalla]

6. God, I hope so!

I hate to think about the alternative...
Not long now.

[marble falls]

10. I'm thinking they got him on 3rd degree murder.

[SergeStorms]

20. I'll say second degree murder.

Chauvin showed depraved indifference for the life of George Floyd. It has to be second degree murder. It has to be.

[marble falls]

28. I'm good knowing his next 15 -20 years will be miserable. Not too long ago this would never ...

... have gotten past a PD "review" board.

He killed George Floyd because he felt like it and depended on a blue wall to shield him. He was demonstrating to the witnesses how powerful he was, he calmly with a detached demeanor killed Floyd on purpose over nine minutes.

There is never, ever any justice for any victim, ever. Families may develop some sense of justice, but even they get no real justice. Ever.

[SergeStorms]

46. A man shouldn't have died...

because of Chauvin's depraved indifference for Floyd's life. It's still a terrible tragedy, and no amount of guilty verdicts are going to bring George Floyd back. But the son of a bitch didn't get away with it. They threw the book at him.

[christx30]

92. My hope is that

this is a chink in the legal armor that cops in this country have enjoyed for decades. And that juries won't assign god-like status to cops in the future, and will actually convict in the case of an innocent person being killed.
And maybe that will make them hesitate in killing.

[SergeStorms]

97. I think we're all hoping that.

We hope the "blue wall" is crumbling, and that the good, honest police officers won't hesitate to testify against the racist criminals that give all police a bad name. Law enforcement in this country has been getting more brazen and lawless for quite some time. It's time for law enforcement to police themselves, and weed out the racist, fascist storm troopers who've become so prevalent of late. Hopefully this verdict will go a long way in police reform.

[Aristus]

3. If Chauvin is convicted,

cops are going to go around kicking down doors and murdering people indiscriminately.

Oh, wait; they do that already...

[quakerboy]

40. they will be doubling down on it

This is a small start

[NullTuples]

88. While the verdict was being announced...

A 15 year old black girl called the police in Columbus, Ohio for help because she was being attacked.

They arrived and shot her four times. She's dead. Her name was Makiyah Bryant.

[sarisataka]

5. Wow, that was fast

And quick verdicts usually do not Bode well for the defence

[Siwsan]

7. Wow! I guessed it might happen as early as tomorrow.

I'll be beyond shocked if he is acquitted. None the less - Fasten your seatbelts!

[Hoyt]

8. Gotta be guilty. If it were "not guilty," they'd sit around for a few more days just to look

like they considered everything.

My guess is they formed their opinion from the first videos. No way anyone can excuse 9+ minutes crushing a man's neck. In fact, I'd bet most police will be relieved with a guilty verdict.

[TwilightZone]

12. No one who is sequestered wants to sit around for days.

Certainly not just for appearances.

I'm not sure we can read anything from the time it took to deliberate. They took enough time to review the evidence and the charges, certainly. Beyond that it's simply conjecture.

[Siwsan]

13. They said some of the jurors were yawning and near nodding off during defense closing statements

but they were very attentive during the prosecution's presentation. Not surprising.

[barbtries]

30. the defense

brought a lot of bullshit to the trial. hopefully all 12 jurors saw through it.

[William Gustafson]

9. He is screwed!!!!...

When there is a short deliberation from a jury that has a unanimous verdict, it usually means they are not believing the defense ... So Floyds killer is screwed. If this is the case, I, for one, believe he murdered Floyd and should be convicted and imprisoned as any one else would be doing if they did this... Presidents, Congressmen all the way down to the local dog catcher, are not above the law, and that includes Police. When they break the law, they should pay the same consequences that any one of us would also have to pay....

[Ms. Toad]

15. One concern I have -

is that if they bought the defense argument on causation, that single issue would dispose of all 3 cases.

Otherwise, I agree it is likely a conviction.

[BumRushDaShow]

19. The one pundity thing I heard yesterday

after I left the car dealer after getting my car inspected (and the TV in their waiting area had the trial on - the first time I had seen any of it since I have avoided it), was that the defense apparently wore out their welcome, going on for almost 3 hours with their closing arguments, which the radio commentator (CBS radio) I heard say, "probably lost the jury".

[Ms. Toad]

21. That -

and misrepresenting what the prosecution had to show (that no other cause played any role at all).

[MarcA]

24. You can not have a Just Society

where the holders of some positions are entitled to more privilege and benefits
than the rest of that society who also lack access to basic needs.

[Roc2020]

11. Chauvin is Toast.

His conviction won't solve the problems of America, but it will get one wicked, cruel and evil cop off the street.

[OldManTarHeel]

14. I'm Guessing Guilty on All 3 Counts . .

and I pray I am right.

[Deminpenn]

17. The 3 counts are in essence all the same charge

I think the jurors will pick one and the other two will be not guilty.

The prosecutors are going for an "enhanced sentence" so even the manslaughter count could be more than the 10 year prison time.

[OldManTarHeel]

90. You Kinda Guessed Wrong Did You Not . . ?

[berniesandersmittens]

16. If there be a god on heaven

Please found guilty of the two murder charges.

[nitpicker]

18. My SWAG

Murder 3.

And there will be rioting mixed in with the protests because it's not murder 2.

[electric_blue68]

23. hopefully Murder 2 at least.

waiting...

[orleans]

25. i am waiting & ready to hear guilty, the highest charge, and burst into tears of joy nt

[electric_blue68]

26. I hear you

At least some justice would be done

[barbtries]

32. i may run to the window

and yell "guilty!" at the top of my lungs.

[barbtries]

27. i am on the edge of my seat.

it seems hopeful to me that they are coming back so quickly. any lawyers agree?

[electric_blue68]

29. Lying ng bed with cellphone internet. Just a rest but I am...

metaphorically at the edge of my seat! Eeeps!

[Polybius]

31. What's taking so long to announce?

It’s 5:00 EST right now. I heard by 4:30 we’d know.

[barbtries]

33. right?!

drawing it out isn't going to help anything.

[BumRushDaShow]

34. I had heard earlier that they needed time

to clear out the courthouse and the immediate area...

About to do the verdict right now...

[PatrickforB]

35. Why am I crying?

Justice finally DONE!!!!

[paleotn]

37. FINALLY!!!

[Delphinus]

50. That is

exactly what I did! Finally, some justice!

[ancianita]

36. As Auntie Maxine hoped: He's GUILTY, GUILTY, GUILTY!!

Jason Johnson is right:
That it took the very detailed proof of the world's seeing 9:29 minutes, means that it takes THAT to get a guilty verdict. This is nothing to feel good about because...
This is not the system working. There will still be young black people murdered after today, tomorrow and the future.

Michael Steele is right:
This is about George Floyd's family.
This moment can't just be about "the next case." It has to be about how the system works for us.
This jury said that, this time, it works for black people.

[onetexan]

49. +1 K&R. Hopefully the precedent set by this case will be applied to all unlawful police brutality

going forward.

[SergeStorms]

38. Outstanding!

I think Chauvin just realized the severity of his actions. If he hasn't, he damned well ought to.

[Denvermosaic]

39. Mofo deserves 30years

[Maeve]

41. What I tell you three times is true

[LiberalArkie]

42. Bail revoked, remanded into custody.. Treated like a non white. And he looked surprised

[NurseJackie]

71. I wonder if his lawyers kept telling him "we got this!" and "no worries"...

... "you'll be a free man this afternoon!"

[aggiesal]

43. Nobody wins in this case. Makes me sad for everyone ...

It took video to make this happen, when it shouldn't.

[nitpicker]

44. I'm a bit surprised they found him guilty of murder 2

But only a bit.

[orleans]

45. GUILTY ON ALL 3 COUNTS! THANK GOD! i'm crying and my dog is barking!!! N/T

[geardaddy]

47. Guilty on all three counts!

[electric_blue68]

48. Omg SOME Justice FINALLY Done....

!!!!!!!!!!!

Me hissing "YES!!!" with every guilty verdict;
Then getting teary eyed.

Omg, IF there EVER was a case where a cop went rougue (oh, I sure know there's more than just a few rougue cops it's in the system) THIS was it!!!!!

[bucolic_frolic]

51. It took an egregious case

I wonder if it will have much effect where video and degree of clarity are less convincing.

[SarcasticSatyr]

52. The cops had already tossed him under the bus as "the bad apple"

when in fact, the whole barrel is rotten.

[Dopers_Greed]

53. Just jumped out of my office chair and ran around my apt screaming

Thank GOD!

I'll never forget where I was on this day.

[Rocknation]

54. All THREE charges? Why wasn't there a "top" charge and lesser included ones?

Last edited Mon May 10, 2021, 03:59 PM - Edit history (2)

At any rate, Chauvin either should have "copped" a plea to manslaughter or volunteered to star in an in-court demonstration showing that it's possible survive having your windpipe restricted for nine and half minutes if you're not on drugs.


Rocknation

[BumRushDaShow]

57. I have a feeling

that when they do the sentencing (which I heard on CBS radio was due in 8 weeks) they'll probably run concurrent (vs consecutive) sentences for the 3 charges.

[Rocknation]

96. I once watched a sentencing hearing on Court TV for a guy who was such a dirtbag

Last edited Mon May 10, 2021, 03:55 PM - Edit history (3)

that as the judge read through his nearly two dozen charges and then told him off, I found myself rooting for the judge to give him consecutive sentences as if were I watching a game show -- and I won!

But seriously, folks, how can you be guilty of the murder AND manslaughter of the same person?



Well, based on this, I would have voted for third-degree murder alone if I'd been one of Chauvin's jurors -- and I would have tried for a plea deal of first- or second-degree manslaughter if I'd been Chauvin's lawyer.


Rocknation

[BumRushDaShow]

101. From some of the commentary I have heard

(CBS radio reporters and analysts) the prosecution (correctly) chose to focus on the decisions and actions of the officer and not just the end result. So I think those charges are actually reflecting points in time leading up to and during the 9 1/2 minutes.

I.e., am ball-parking that "Count III" was due to his choice to continue to kneel on his neck, while his colleagues testified that using that technique when Floyd was not resisting, was uncalled for, and not policy. Count II was his choice to keep his knee on the neck and even digging his knee in while Floyd was crying out that he couldn't breathe, and was a craven and unnecessary action. And Count I reflected the final result of his actions, even after Floyd was deceased, he didn't even bother to stand up, preferring to use a corpse as a kneeling pad.

IMHO, this standard should also apply to the case of Eric Garner and the use of a choke hold. The sadistic use of the excuse "he's resisting" when one is choking someone to death or even when someone is being repeatedly tased and their body involuntarily jerks due to the electric impulses, and that is pointed to as someone who is "moving and resisting", needs to STOP. And then the asses blame it on - "Well they were high on PCP" or some other nonsense.

[Marthe48]

55. Justice

Please let it take root

[Warpy]

56. It won't bring George Floyd back, but it's a start

Violent cops, especially violent, racist cops, have got to be feeling a chill down the backs of their necks right now.

It's about bloody time.

What sank him was the testimony of his superiors. I hope this gives more the courage to speak up.

[PurgedVoter]

58. Great, now the crackers will be out in the streets rioting.

Those folk will crap anywhere, brag about stealing laptops and wave treasonous flags at the slightest provocation. Animals. ...

I can say this cause I am white and some of my best friends are white.

[AntiFascist]

94. They're not that brave. n/t

[BeckyDem]

59. Thank you, jury..from the bottom of my heart.

God bless George Floyds daughter and family. I hope you can heal.

[iluvtennis]

60. Finally some justice - yay!

[Oldem]

61. As I watched Chauvin led away in handcuffs,

I thought how lucky he was not to have an entitled, homicidal son-of-a-bitch kneeling on his neck and back, suffocating him.

[Initech]

62. Justice is served!

[soldierant]

63. As Zipper said back in the seventies,

"That's Guilty! Guilty! Guilty!"

[burrowowl]

64. Guilty on all 3 counts!

Finally! accountability!

[kimbutgar]

65. Yes I was in my car and was screaming with joy!

Then I got sad and chocked up thinking about his family today.

I went into a grocery store and there was an black man checker and i told hi Chauvin was guilty on all three counts. He said chauvin will probably not get anytime.I’m then told him he’ll hey at least 7 years. I couldn’t see if he was smiling because we were both wearing masks but I hope he was like I was!

Then I got home and turned on Fox and they were attacking Maxine Waters, them accused President Biden of influencing the jury with his comments about praying for the Floyd family.
This is why our country is so fucked because they continue to divide us and make people mean and cruel in their hearts. Now I’m watching a Ben Crump on msnbc being inspirational! What a contrast!

[colorado_ufo]

76. I am so very glad some justice was done! Guilty he is!

It would have been much wiser for Maxine (whom I adore) to have held back from saying "Guilty guilty guilty!" while the trial was going on. The outcome of this trial was TOO IMPORTANT to risk even possibly giving any grounds for a mistrial. The judge seemed to be trying very hard to avoid that. Elected officials, who have a lot of influence, need to be cautious about their pronouncements when a trial or investigation is ongoing, no matter how obvious the verdict should be.

We have great people in office now, and we want to keep it that way.

[Jarqui]

66. Very glad to hear the verdicts

My heart is with the many friends and family of blacks who never got to hear what we did today.
Our work related to this is far from done.

[politruk]

67. This might help restore people's confidence,

not in the police -- that would take a lot more -- but in the judicial system.

[NurseJackie]

69. Because prison-rape is funny?

[marble falls]

102. Don't know how I missed that one, thanks.

[NurseJackie]

70. Is this something that can be (as per usual) appealed+appealed+appealed...

... until it gets to the USSC?

[malthaussen]

103. Yes, of course it can be appealed.

Until a higher court refuses to hear the appeal and deems lower court's decision stands. Unlikely it would reach the USSC, or that they would hear it if it did, or else they'd do nothing but murder appeals. Usually, there has to be some interesting procedural question for it to get that far, particularly one where the Constitutional rights of the defendant are called into question.

Once some court in the appeals chain tosses the case, it's done, you can't appeal an appeal.

But meanwhile, he rots in jail. Not allowed out while the appeal is being processed.

-- Mal

[NurseJackie]

104. Thanks for the insights and comments.

[BobTheSubgenius]

72. I can't believe they delibeated for 10 1/2 hours!

[NurseJackie]

73. It's a solemn duty and responsibility... they likely reviewed and discussed everything.

[Deminpenn]

74. There was little doubt Chauvin was guilty

Even Nelson admitted it in his closing argument when he said something like "he (Chauvin) didn't mean to do it (kill Floyd)".

The video showed everything anyone needed to know.

It will be interesting to see how Cahill rules on the aggravating factors that would enhance the sentence.

[JoeBydun]

75. Chauvin is a dog

Rot in prison!

[GopherGal]

80. Trending on Twitter

an hour or so ago were:

ROT IN HELL

and

THANK GOD

So I think you have a lot in company in that sentiment.

[GopherGal]

77. I'll post this link again...

it's from a couple days ago, but has some useful content. It addressed the questions I had and some of the questions coming up in this thread, including:

1) Likely only the most serious charge will be sentenced (i.e. not 3 sentences served consecutively)
2) Chauvin will almost certainly appeal, although the expert interviewed didn't see any glaring grounds for appeal in the trial.

[link:https://www.minnpost.com/metro/2021/04/explaining-the-possible-outcomes-of-jury-deliberations-in-the-derek-chauvin-trial/|]

Moran, who has a background as an appellate attorney, said there haven’t been any glaring things — usually an error by the judge — that stuck out to her as obvious appealable issues, but the defense is likely to come up with some.

[BumRushDaShow]

81. I had posted above

that it would probably be a concurrent sentence, but there was also a lot of discussion yesterday about the judge suddenly throwing shade at Maxine Waters for remarks she made and hinting at a mistrial and whatnot, interpreted as giving the defense and opportunity to use that as a reason for appeal - https://www.democraticunderground.com/10142731435

[ffr]

78. Let this be the beginning of some rolling justice where there's been unjustice.

And all that implies.

[weissmam]

79. considering the defense sucked

given that had very little to work with (he was guilty as hell) I think it was expeceted

[jmowreader]

82. Not much of a sequestration nor did there need to be

The first video did the trick.

One question: did the defense try the “he has a wife and a dog, and they’re rather fond of him” gambit?

[BumRushDaShow]

84. That'll probably come at sentencing time - in 2 months.

[sdfernando]

83. Was in the waiting room for an Audiogram test when this was announced

Was monitoring DU on my phone....bad signal too being in the basement. I didn't think it would affect me all that much but I got quite emotional and tearing up. Its no real consolation but at least there is a little bit of justice for George Floyd! That's what really got me, that finally there is some justice!

[liberalhistorian]

85. I'm hoping it will finally start being referred to as

what it is, MURDER! As in "the murder of George Floyd" instead of just the usually used "the death of George Floyd." I am so tired of hearing and seeing that when it clearly, plainly and simply MURDER!

[Grimelle]

86. Lock him up!

[BumRushDaShow]

87. I think he is now "locked up"

(bail was revoked and he was lead away)

[Kablooie]

89. And as expected, the monsters over on freerepublic they are horrified.

It's bizarre how they can't look at anything without their pure prejudice glasses on.
They really are monsters.

[Aussie105]

91. Couple of hints for the po po out there:

1. Just because someone is upright, don't assume they are fit and healthy.
They may have an underlying medical condition that means they don't respond well to rough handling.
Heart condition, thin skull, fragile bones, etc.

And of course:

2. Just because the targets in your shooting range are black human shapes, don't mean people of color are a legitimate target out on the street.

And for the really dumb ones:

3. Guns make a noise. Good to scare the 'bad' guys.
They also throw out pieces of metal that can kill. Not so good.

Love the verdict. Anything else would have been unacceptable.

[dalton99a]

93. About damn time

[Ka-Dinh Oy]

95. I am happy about this. It is about damn time.

However, please explain "unintentional" murder. It looked pretty damn "intentional" murder to me.

[Blue Owl]

99. Kneel on the cement floor of your jail cell, you sick fuck

[calimary]

100. Okay, let's USE this! Call your reps and demand passage of the GEORGE FLOYD JUSTICE IN POLICING ACT!

H.R.1280 - George Floyd Justice in Policing Act of 2021
https://www.congress.gov/bill/117th-congress/house-bill/1280

It's passed the House and now in the Senate. Where we need to jump all over them and Get. This. PASSED. ONCE AND FOR ALL!

What you need to know about the George Floyd Justice in Policing Act
The bill cleared the House last summer but it died in the Senate. Now President Biden is pushing the bill again in the wake of the Chauvin verdict.
https://www.poynter.org/reporting-editing/2021/what-you-need-to-know-about-the-george-floyd-justice-in-policing-act/

[Nixie]

105. Wow, this was such a triumph.

Still completely thrilled at the justice for George Floyd. I heard his brother speaking about what this meant to them and it was just so moving.