A 12 member American Jury on Tuesday found police officer Derek Chauvin guilty on all three charges of murder and man slaughter of unarmed black American George Floyd.
The severest charge of 2nd degree murder carries a maximum of 40- year imprisonment.
Sentencing will follow in eight weeks
It is a landmark trial on systemic Police brutality and racial discrimination against blacks and other minorities in America.
Minneapolis police officer killed the 46-year-old Black man in May through a criminal assault, by pinning him to the ground so he could not breathe.
Benjamin Crump, a lawyer for the Floyd family, said in a statement: “Justice for Black America is justice for all of America. This case is a turning point in American history for accountability of law enforcement and sends a clear message we hope is heard clearly in every city and every state.”
President Joe Biden, Vice-President Kamala Harris and Jill Biden, the first lady, called members of the Floyd family moments after the verdict, according to video posted by Crump. Biden told the family: “Nothing is going to make it all better, but at least now there is some justice.” He added: “We’re all so relieved.”
Joe Biden, in an address to the nation, praised the verdict but noted how difficult it is to ensure justice is served.
“This can be a giant step forward in the march towards justice in America. But let’s also be clear: such a verdict is also much too rare,” he said. “It seems like it took a unique and extraordinary convergence of factors. A brave young woman with a smartphone camera. A crowd that was traumatised. Traumatised witnesses. A murder that lasts almost ten minutes in broad daylight. Officers standing up and testifying against a fellow officer instead of just closing ranks.”
Biden said all of those factors and more were required for Chauvin to be brought to justice.
“For so many it feels like it took all of that for the judicial system to deliver just basic accountability,” he said.
