Following the months-long trial of former Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin, a jury reached a guilty verdict on all three charges after deliberating for several hours across two days.
Chauvin faced three charges in the death of George Floyd last May, after kneeling on his neck for nine minutes and 29 seconds, sparking global protests.
The Minneapolis community and cities across the country waited for the verdict in the trial against the officer, which Floyd’s brother, Terrence Floyd, called a “chance” for the American criminal justice system to show if it is trustworthy. The nation and world watched the trial after a year of protests following Floyd's death, and the deaths of so many others at the hands of police.
Minneapolis closed schools for the rest of the week in anticipation of the verdict. Troops from the National Guard have been posted outside the courthouse and have been deployed in several cities during the trial and after.
Joe Biden called the Floyd family after closing arguments were given by state prosecutors and Chauvin's defense attorney.
Before a verdict was reached, CNN reported additional barriers had been put in place in front of the Hennepin County Government Center. National Guard troops had been in place in front of the courthouse since the start of the trial.
There were reports that groups gathered outside the courthouse and at George Floyd Square, the area on 38th and Chicago where he was murdered, awaiting the verdict.
In reaction to the verdict, communities across the nation took to the streets. In Minneapolis, crowds gathered at George Floyd Square and outside of the courthouse could be heard cheering during the reading of the verdict.
Communities Continue Push for Justice
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