Daily US Times: A US jury has found a former Minneapolis police officer guilty of murder over the death of George Floyd on a street last year. The verdict was announced on Monday
Derek Chauvin, 45, was filmed kneeling on African-American Mr Floyd’s neck for more than nine minutes during his arrest last May.
The widely watched footage sparked protests around the world against racism and excessive use of force by police.
The former police officer was found guilty on three charges: second-degree murder, third-degree murder and manslaughter.
Mr Chauvin will remain in custody until he is sentenced and could spend decades in jail.
The 12-member jury took less than a day to reach their much anticipated verdict, which followed a highly-charged, three-week trial that left the US city of Minneapolis on edge.
On Monday, after both sides presented closing arguments, the jury was isolated in a hotel with no outside contact so they could deliberate on a verdict. The process is known as sequestration.
Jurors had to agree unanimously and were told they could not return home until they had made their decision about the verdict.
The verdict of the George Floyd murder trial prompted celebratory scenes outside the court, where several hundred people cheered as it was announced.
Ben Crump, The Floyd family’s lawyer, said it marked a “turning point in history” for the US.
He tweeted: “Painfully earned justice has finally arrived. [It] sends a clear message on the need for accountability of law enforcement.”
Right after the verdict, President Joe Biden and Vice-President Kamala Harris called the Floyd family.
The US President was heard saying that “at least now there is some justice”.
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