After one of the most extensive criminal trials in recent times, Derek Chauvin was found guilty for all three charges related to him with the murder of George Floyd in May 2020. With the entire nation eagerly waiting to hear the announcement, the jurors declared him guilty across all three charges.
Subsequently, Chauvin’s bail was rescinded and his hands were chained; he was taken away by the authorities amidst a crowd full of cheers and praises, who were elated on hearing the verdict. Derek Chauvin’s sentencing is yet to be announced, but it is anticipated that he may spend a couple of decades behind bars.
The jury that decided the fate of Derek Chauvin consisted of five men and seven women, out of which six were white, four were Black and two were known to be multiracial. All the jurors who were summoned had their identities kept hidden, and their whereabouts undisclosed. When the verdict was going to be announced, the building was barred with massive barriers and line wire. Besides, numerous law officials and National Guard troops were taken inside the courthouse before the jury declared the fate of Chauvin.
Chauvin was charged for the murder of a 46-year-old Black man named George Floyd, who died due to Chauvin’s sustained restraint on his neck for 9 minutes and 29 seconds. Floyd’s “I can’t breathe” plea to the officer had been taken up by thousands of people across the world who demanded justice for an innocent man’s death.
During Derek Chauvin’s trial, the jury heard testimonies from Floyd’s closest friends to his family members, bystanders to police officials; all of whom presented an opinion of their own. It finally came down to two important questions- whether Chauvin’s force caused his death and if his force was right in the light of law?
To prove Chauvin guilty of murder, the prosecutors had the task to show that he was solely responsible for the death of Floyd, and his use of pressure was unjustified. They argued that even though Derek Chauvin was allowed to use force as a police official, his force here was not unjust. On the other hand, the defense claimed that his death was the result of a heart attack caused by a drug overdose.
After a grueling trial, Derek Chauvin was declared guilty as his use of force could not be justified. It was also proved that Floyd couldn’t have died of a drug overdose as the amount of drug in his body was minimal and could not cause an attack.
