Derek Chauvin news: Floyd killer in solitary as police defend Nicholas Reardon shooting Ma’Khia Bryant
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Former Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin is expected to appeal his conviction after being found guilty on all charges in the murder of George Floyd.
The jury found Chauvin was:
- Guilty of second-degree unintentional murder
- Guilty of third-degree murder
- Guilty of second-degree manslaughter
Joe Biden said the conviction of Chauvin in the killing of Mr Floyd could be “a giant step forward” for the nation in the fight against systemic racism. But he declared that “it’s not enough.”
Chauvin remains in the maximum security prison there and is currently under “administrative segregation”, otherwise known as solitary confinement, for his safety, a spokesperson for the Minnesota Department of Corrections told CNN.
On Wednesday, US Attorney General Merrick Garland launched a sweeping investigation into policing practices in Minneapolis, which “will assess whether the Minneapolis Police Department engages in a pattern or practice of using excessive force, including during protests”.
Sentencing was scheduled for 16 June, exactly eight weeks from today.
Read More:
- What happened to the other officers arrested over George Floyd death?
- Minnesota crowd reacts to Chauvin verdict
- George Floyd’s family learn verdict was in from CNN
- Derek Chauvin found guilty on all murder charges
- How long will Derek Chauvin get in jail and what does the verdict mean?
- Who is Derek Chauvin's ex-wife, who filed for divorce after George Floyd's death?
Read The Independent’s updates and analysis below.
‘Jury did the right thing’: Barack Obama says verdict necessary but far from sufficient
Former president Barack Obama said while the jury made the right decision convicting Derek Chauvin for the murder of George Floyd, it was far from a sufficient step on the road to progress.
Michelle and I send our prayers to the Floyd family, and we stand with all those who are committed to guaranteeing every American the full measure of justice that George and so many others have been denied,” Obama said in a statement.
“We cannot rest. We will need to follow through with concrete reforms that will reduce and ultimately eliminate racial bias in our criminal justice system.”
TV anchors react to Derek Chauvin guilty verdict
Television news anchors shared their feelings around the verdict for former Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin, who was found guilty on all charges in the murder of George Floyd.
“8 minutes 46 seconds a life gone forever, today justice #Georgefloyd finally,” wrote ABC’s Tamron Hall on Twitter.
Likewise, when Chauvin was placed in handcuffs and led out of the courtroom, CNN’sVan Jonessaid, “That is what justice looks like.”
“Derek Chauvin - Guilty on all counts. America can call Derek Chauvin what many have long believed. Murderer,” wrote MSNBC correspondent Trymaine Lee.
The Independent’s Rachel Brodsky has the round-up from the industry.
TV anchors react to the Derek Chauvin verdict
‘That is what justice looks like,’ Van Jones said on CNN
Minnesota attorney general Keith Ellison urges peace after Chauvin verdict
Despite receiving guilty verdicts on all charges against Derek Chauvin, Minnesota attorney general Keith Ellison urged protesters to express themselves peacefully in their continued fight for justice.
“In the coming days, more may seek to express themselves again through demonstration, I urge everyone to honour the legacy of George Floyd by doing so calmly, legally and peacefully,” he said.
Boris Johnson welcomes guilty verdict
The UK prime minister, who appears to be following the trial of Derek Chauvin, sent his thoughts across the pond to the family of George Floyd following today’s verdict.
“I was appalled by the death of George Floyd and welcome this verdict,” he said in a tweet.
‘I cried so hard’: says teenager who filmed George Floyd video
Darnella Frazier, who filmed the video of Derek Chauvin kneeling on George Floyd that was seen around the world, said her heart was “beating so fast” as she awaited the verdict.
“I just cried so hard…This last hour my heart was beating so fast, I was so anxious,” she said on Instagram.
“Although no amount of charges will bring back a loved one, justice was served and his murderer will pay the price,” she added.
AOC doesn’t want Chauvin verdict to be considered justice
The Democrat congresswoman says the conviction of Derek Chauvin for the murder of Floyd is not justice and she doesn’t want this to be considered as the system working.
In a live video reaction to the verdict, AOC says, frankly, “I don’t even think we call it full accountability because there are multiple officers that were there”.
“It wasn’t just Derek Chauvin, and I also don’t want this moment to be framed as this system working. Because it’s not working,” she said.
“That’s what creates a lot of complexity in this moment.”
White House responds to Derek Chauvin verdict
Vice president Kamala Harris thanked the jury and the family of George Floyd following the conviction of ex-officer Derek Chauvin.
“Today we feel a sigh of relief, still it can not take away the pain. A measure of justice is not the same as equal justice,” she said.
Initial police report calling George Floyd’s murder a ‘medical incident’ goes viral
An early-stage police report describing George Floyd’s death as a vague “medical incident” went viral on Tuesday, the same day former Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin was convicted of murdering Mr Floyd by kneeling on his neck for more than nine minutes during an arrest last May for a counterfeit $20 bill.
In the original police bulletin that went out to the public, here’s how the Minneapolis police department categorized the gruesome murder millions of people would later see on social media video:
“He was ordered to step from his car. After he got out, he physically resisted officers. Officers were able to get the suspect into handcuffs and noted he appeared to be suffering medical distress. Officers called for an ambulance. He was transported to Hennepin County Medical Center by ambulance where he died a short time later.”
Josh Marcus reports.
Initial police report on George Floyd’s murder goes viral after Derek Chauvin verdict
Police called the gruesome killing a “medical incident” at first.
Joe Biden says George Floyd murder took ‘blinders’ off the world
The president said the guilty verdict on all counts was step forward in addressing the “knee on the neck of justice for black Americans”.
“It was a murder in the full light of day, and it ripped the blinders off for the whole world to see the systemic racism the vice president just referred to,” Biden said.
“This can be a giant step forward in the march toward justice in America.”
No one ‘above the law’, says Joe Biden
The president said most police serve their communities honourably but those that don’t should be held accountable like Derek Chauvin.
“No one should be above the law, and today’s verdict sends that message. But it’s not enough,” Biden said.
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