After 10 hours of deliberations over two days, the jury in the case against the former Minneapolis police officer charged in the death of George Floyd, returned its verdict: guilty as charged. Derek Chauvin, age 45, was found guilty of second-degree unintentional murder, third-degree murder, and second-degree manslaughter on Tuesday afternoon. He could serve up to 40 years in prison for his crimes.
Despite the ongoing sorrow of the loss of life that ushered in the court case, there was a sense of relief and even jubilation around the nation. In Minneapolis, hundreds of people poured into the streets, some carrying banners. Others wept openly. Drivers blared horns in solidarity with those celebrating. Some claimed justice had been delivered for George Floyd.
Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison was quoted on Twitter, saying, “I would not call today’s verdict justice, however, because justice implies true restoration. But it is accountability, which is the first step toward justice.”
It is true that nothing—including the decision of the jury and the sentence yet to be mandated by the judge—will restore the life of the man who died while the police officer knelt on his neck for several minutes after he was handcuffed, subdued, and no longer resisting the restrictions placed on him. In that regard, human justice is limited. Only God can raise the dead to life again. For that reason, taking another human life—even in legal situations of duress and difficulty—must be treated with extreme seriousness. The circumstances and actions of those involved must be examined, evaluated, and judged.
President Joe Biden welcomed the verdict. But he warned that it was not, in itself, a full solution. “We can and we must do more to reduce the likelihood that tragedies like this will ever happen again,” the President warned.
In the wake of Floyd’s death last May, protest demonstrations and scattered violence broke out in Minneapolis, around the nation, and beyond. In the months following the protests and riots, numerous states and cities restricted the use of force by police, revamped disciplinary systems, or subjected police departments to closer oversight.
(Former Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin is taken into custody. Chauvin was found guilty on three counts in his trial for the 2020 death of George Floyd on Tuesday, April 20, 2021, at the Hennepin County Courthouse in Minneapolis. Court TV via AP)
He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God? — Micah 6:8
1st Comment
We should pray for his family because at 45 he probably has a family and it will be hard for them if he goes in jail. Especially if a possible 40 years. He would be 85 before he got out again.
Maybe everyone will quit the riots now and all that dumb stuff.
Sad.
Sad.
Did you know they gave 27
Did you know they gave 27 MILLION dollars to George Flyod's family? I don't know how I feel about that, and honestly I'm keeping my opinion about this whole trial to myself.
Riley D I wouldn't be so sure.
he is not going to come back
he is not going to come back from jail. think about the other inmates and what they are going to do when they find out he was a cop
I don't know how I feel about
I don't know how I feel about this, on one hand, George Floyd shouldn't have died, on the other hand, 40 years in prison seems like a long time for something that appears accidental.
I agree with justice. But
I agree with justice. But people were openly cheering after the verdict. As a Christian I just can't cheer for that sort of thing. I mean, he's going to spend the most of the rest of his life in jail. And while I see that he was guilty, I just can't go on the streets to cheer for that sort of thing. I would love to any other opinions on this matter.
@ Stefen /everyone
I agree. But maybe we should not have debate about this because the last one turned ugly real fast.
@ Stefan H
I agree with you that I totally would not be cheering about this guy going into jail for forty years, I have heard many different view points about this subject and I just really don't know what to think cause I wasn't there so I can't say what happened, but from the facts that I've heard and the ones in this article, where it said that he was still kneeling one Floyds neck, after Floyd had handcuffs on him and wasn't struggling that I think that Derek Chauvin is guilty, but its so hard to say because've heard many people say that Floyd died from the drugs he was taking, bu that just to me doesn't sound right, that he died of drugs when someone was kneeling on his neck, I've also heard that people said that Derek had an evil look on his face when he was kneeling on Floyd, I really don't know, I haven't watched the video that people have found on YouTube , but I think that what Justice did was good for the most part, even though 40 years seems a little much, for something that might have been accidental.
All I know is that God had planed it this way so it must work out for the best.
Sarah F
I don't think it will unless Asher E starts commenting (no offense Asher, I actually agree with many of the points you make. You're just a little... ahem... blunt, let's say. And a lot of people on here try to be more courteous so I think they interpret your...bluntness... as rudeness.)
@EVERYONE
I think he should be charged for manslaughter (that means he accidentally killed someone) which he was charged with, but I don't think he should be in jail for 40 years. But maybe it's good he's in jail. I mean, if he was aquitted (meaning he was not guilty) people would go insane! He could've been hurt, or worse... and the same goes for his family! I honestly think we should pray for his family because I'm sure they don't feel safe right now.
Carys M
yeah it hard cause you don't want to be rude but them when you said something trying not to be rude it sometimes sounds even more rude than what you were going to say in the first place XD
finally
yesssssssssss
this is mylee
Wow 40 years is a long time. I feel bad for his family but he was found guilty so... Hopefully now blm will slow down a bit . I mean Goarge Floyd wasn't a good man. Did'nt he shoot a woman. And now that hes dead why are people celebrating that he is free..... Someone guilty is not something to celebrate but be sad for.
I agree, how would you fell
I agree, how would you fell if somebody cheered when you were sent to jail! Put that question to those people, eh?
oops i meant feel.
oops i meant feel.
The guy must feel awful that
The guy must feel awful that ppl are CHEERING that he was put in jail. I think everyone took this whole thing a little too far...I agree with Stefan
Epic
About time this happened, good to see some accountability!
@Carys M
The last one did not turn ugly because of me. I take responsibility for my part in that but Christian was the one who started it, not me. Also when you say that I am blunt are you talking about the fact that I don't sugarcoat the truth? Trust me, I try to be courteous just as much as you do but I will not ignore facts.
@Everyone
My full thoughts on this verdict will be out shortly.
20th comment
*sighs* Why did this happen in the fist place? I know why. Because he (Floyd) was doing something wrong. I don’t know who was right and who was wrong in George’s death but I do know that this situation is not going to calm down. That’s all I have to say for now, but I might comment when I have further thoughts. Have a nice day.
@ Asher E
Uh oh and that means a big debate
@ Franz
Not necessarily....
LOL Asher E, you remind me of *cough* someone *cough* else *cough* *wink*
My opinions
I'm glad he was charged guilty, I believe he is guilty. I feel bad for his family, and friends. I don't want him to spend all of his life in jail. I hope he finds God though. I think that ten years would be quite long enough. More than long enough. But if he killed another person he would need to be in jail again. He doesn't need to be in jail for forty years, God will decide on punishment. If he finds God then He would forgive him. @Ethan K, there is protection in prison, they aren't going to let other inmates kill him.
@N A
Who do I remind you of?
oop
THIS IS STUPID!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I would get if the charged him for 2nd degree murder, but 3rd ARE YOU KIDDIN ME
@Asher E
Can't wait for your wisdom, and to make this into a 300 comments page
oh one more thing
You guys shouldn't be afraid to debate. We are all humans, (except me I identify as a mermaid) we are prone to argue but that's ok. Just NO LANGUAGE this time. Okie Dokie, let's get this bread!
ok last thing
Derek Chauvin was innocent, George Floyd died from an overdose, not a knee. I know someone is going to point out that they should've taken him to the hospital. GUYS!!! George was resisting and was trying to stay out of the police car. He was saying "I can't breathe" before he was even arrested. People who are being arrested and they know they did something wrong will TRY TO ESCAPE ARREST, they will use a bunch of excuses like the handcuff is too tight, or they can't breathe, Police are supposed to ignore that. If it was Derek Chauvin's fault, they should have a problem with the police department for training the police officer. I think that the judges made this call because of political pressure.
Ok..... was that a good spark for this debate?
@Aryelle
Here's to more racism against some other ppl group... *sight*
Let's all wait for heaven and hope I don't get beaten by some mob like I nearly did last time.
@Aryelle
I would debat but I agree with you.
question
did u guys hear about the 20yr old dude who got killed because the cop pulled out a gun instead of a taser?
@Christian B
Was he white??
if so that's probably why we didn't hear about him
@Aryelle D
He was actually black. They have been rioting up here for a week about it.
@Asher E
Yep, I looked it up,that was a major oop on the officers part
@Asher E
yup
oh one more thing
Did you know that Nancy Pelosi said that George Floyd " made a sacrifice for justice" UGH! she needs to get out of here, she is evil...
This is not JUSTICE, never was, never will be........
To Above
*moans* I'm not surprised
reminds me when the people
reminds me when the people were calling for Barabbas in the Bible
@N&M A
how- why- what?
@ Christian
I did hear about that. And wasn't there some like 14 year old black kid who was running away from a cop and put his hands up right before the cop shot him?
@sarah
no but y did a cop shoot a 14yr old kid?
@sarah
and where did his happen?
@Riley D
While I wholeheartedly agree about the rioting and all that being "dumb stuff", I potentially disagree about the rioting quitting. There were no riots because a man was killed, (victim or no, Idk about that for sure. I haven't researched it much.) there were riots because people were mad and were never taught not to act like five year olds. Yeah, there were peaceful protests, and those were probably legit, but all that rioting? Eh, I doubt that was ever REALLY about justice. (Which, how dumb, like their stupid riots was justice? For real.)
@Above
I am open to a debate on this as long as it doesn't get ugly. And guys, it was not Asher that made it ugly.
ok.....
ok.....
this is mylee
guys ya'll are being mean to Asher and Christian . (no offense) but plz be nice!!!!
@ Christian
I think the kid had a gun maybe, and I don't know where it happened.
@sarah
but what did he do wrong to attract the cops?
Just so you know I might join
Just so you know I might join the debate on Friday (if its going) I won't be on tomorrow because of my CC but just to let you know. In my opinion it would be weird if I just joined in the middle of a debate. Sorry if this comment sounds weird. :-)
@ Carys
Ugh! They gave GF's family all that money? What about the families that lost there stores that got looted? Ugh, my blood is boiling!!!!
FE Ike is right. "People can be the dumbest creatures." Dumbest, most gullibe, if they're not taught.
NO offense
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