UPDATE: Justice for George Floyd as the jury in the murder trial of ex-cop Derek Chauvin finds him guilty of killing the unarmed, handcuffed Black man while in custody. The jury believed and could not “unsee” the knee-on-the-neck video and returned a unanimous verdict on all three counts. 44-year-old Chauvin faces up to 40 years in prison as prosecutors say they plan to seek a sentence enhancement. Chances are he will only serve about a decade with concurrent sentences, according to some legal experts.
Chauvin’s attorneys will most likely appeal his conviction even though last year, Chauvin had agreed to plead guilty to 3rd degree murder. Attorney General Bill Barr declined to accept the plea because he thought it was too soon and not enough.
After the verdict was read, Chauvin’s bail was revoked, he was remanded into custody and will be sentenced in 8 weeks.
Legal analysts say, the quick nature of the verdict bodes well for an appellate claim, because it means the jury was swayed by outside noise.
An historic $27 million settlement in a lawsuit filed over George Floyd’s death was announced as a jury was being chosen for the criminal trial.
The unanimous verdict in the civil trial complicated the high-profile prosecution and could become grounds for an appeal of a conviction, legal observers say.
Also comments from Congresswoman Maxine Waters and President Biden about the need for a guilty verdict “or else” could also be grounds for appeal.
ORIGINAL STORY:
The jury in the murder trial of ex-Minneapolis cop Derek Chauvin has reached a verdict.
The verdict will be read around 5:00 p.m.
The 12 member panel of 7 women and 5 men a mixture of white and black, began deliberating at 5:00 p.m. Monday night and resumed Tuesday morning. Now, after about 10 hours of deliberation, a verdict has been reached. It is apparent that the jury is not hung, and has reached a unanimous verdict.
The jury sat through two weeks of testimony and did not send the judge any questions during deliberation. Chauvin did not take the stand in his own defense. The most compelling evidence the jury considered was the 10 minute video that literally showed George Floyd’s death. The jury also did not seek any clarification on the law from the judge.
President Biden said today that he is “praying the verdict is the right verdict” and suggested there was ample evidence for the jury to consider as they determine whether the former Minneapolis police officer is guilty of murdering George Floyd.
“It’s overwhelming, in my view,” Biden said in the Oval Office, where he was meeting with Hispanic lawmakers. “I wouldn’t say that unless the jury was sequestered.”
Biden also reached out to the Floyd family via phone Monday night.
Chauvin faces up to 40 years in prison if convicted on the murder charge, 10 years for manslaughter in the death of George Floyd.
The jury had three counts to consider as they weighed whether Chauvin is responsible for the death of George Floyd. Chauvin is charged with second-degree unintentional murder, third-degree murder and second-degree manslaughter.