Derek Chauvin Found Guilty on All Counts

Yesterday, the jury of the monumental Derek Chauvin trial announced that they had reached a verdict. Outside the courthouse and around the country, crowds gathered in anticipation of the end of such a historic trial. Last May, the country was horrified by the graphic bystander video depicting George Floyd‘s death at the hands of Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin. Today, a jury made up of 12 of his peers found Chauvin guilty on all counts.

The Charges

Second-degree murder is causing the death of a human being, without intent to cause that death, while committing or attempting to commit another felony. In the Chauvin case, the alleged felony was third-degree assault.

Third-degree murder is unintentionally causing someone’s death by committing an act that is eminently dangerous to other persons while exhibiting a depraved mind, with reckless disregard for human life.

Second-degree manslaughter is culpable negligence where a person creates an unreasonable risk and consciously takes the chance of causing death or great bodily harm to someone else.

After the jury’s verdict was announced and authenticated, Chauvin’s bail was immediately revoked, and he was taken into custody. Sentencing guidelines for each crime differ; second and third-degree murder charges for an individual with no prior arrest record is around 12 and a half years. However, maximum sentencing for those charges ranges between 25-40 years. Second-degree manslaughter sentencing carries a maximum of 10 years. Officials anticipate an appeal of this ruling, which is standard.

“Justice has been recognized. This verdict is not going to bring back George Floyd, or bring justice to all Black lives lost to police brutality, but this verdict gives hope that we can work with justice moving us forward. There is more work to be done,” The Colorado Black Caucus said of the trial outcome.

Police violence is still a pressing issue in this country, with an average of three people dying due to violence in police custody every day. With this verdict, advocates hope that true police and criminal justice reform can be achieved in the near future.