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Derek Chauvin found GUILTY on all charges in the murder of George Floyd: 'DEREK CHAUVIN IS GOING TO PRISON'

The sequestered jury comprised six White and six Black or multiracial individuals who delivered the verdict

Former Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin, who was charged with the brutal murder of George Floyd, has been found guilty on all charges in the trial, as per the verdict delivered by the jury. The sequestered jury comprised six White and six Black or multiracial individuals considering the gravity of the case which has been deemed as a hate crime. 

The verdict has caused immense relief among the people across the world as social media is flooded with enthusiastic reactions from overwhelmed Black citizens, who believe justice had been served. People had gathered in front of the court as well as the site of Floyd's death hours before the verdict was announced. 

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How did George Floyd die?

"I can't breathe."

Floyd's last words continued to haunt the world nearly a year after his horrific murder by former Minneapolis police officer Chauvin. Despite frantic appeals from the crowd around, Chauvin inhumanly kneeled down on Floyd's neck for nearly nine minutes and 29 seconds till he fell silent forever. Floyd was pronounced dead later at the hospital, stirring a worldwide Black Lives Matter movement as his tragic death was deemed to be one of the worst cases of racial brutality by American police.

Chauvin had been an experienced police officer with the Minneapolis Police Department since 2001. He had even won two medals for valor, both for shooting suspects who intended to harm the police with firearms.

On May 25, 2020, Chauvin, along with three other officers, arrested George Floyd on suspicion of using a counterfeit $20 bill at a shop. He did not resist his arrest, but he reportedly resisted getting into the police car and fell down. While Floyd was handcuffed and fell on the ground with his face down, Chauvin placed his knee on Floyd's neck and pressed down hard. He did not release despite desperate appeals from Floyd, who repeatedly said, "I can't breathe" and "Please".

What are Derek Chauvin's charges?

In the meantime, two other officers were kneeling on Floyd's back. The crowd also frantically requested Chauvin to release Floyd from under his knee, but Chauvin did not budge until Floyd became motionless.

As the video of the incident went viral, Chauvin and the other officers were fired the following day. He was arrested on May 29, 2020 and on June 23, Floyd's death was characterized as murder by Minneapolis Police Chief, considering the fact that Chauvin was aware of the dangers of positional asphyxiation. At the time of his verdict, Chauvin was facing the charges of second-degree unintentional murder, third-degree murder, and second-degree manslaughter in the killing of Floyd.

'George Floyd is still gone... and finally someone was responsible'

As a masked Chauvin listened intently to his verdict being read by the judge, he sported a look of disbelief on his face. After confirmation of the verdict with the jury, the judge revoked Chauvin's bail and he was remanded into custody till his sentencing. 

Meanwhile, Twitter has been flooded with excited reactions from people all across the world, who believe that the verdict was historic and brought forth the much-awaited justice for Floyd. "Guilty Guilty Guilty... No one wins.. George Floyd is still gone..and finally someone was responsible... Derek Chauvin," actress Whoopi Goldberg tweeted. 

"All three counts!" people chanted outside the courthouse in Minneapolis after Chauvin was found guilty on all charges. Lots of tears, hugs and chanting here," NY Times reporter Nicholas Bogel-Burroughs shared from the ground.

RIP GEORGE FLOYD

One tweeted, "I'd shudder thinking of what the outcome could have been if we didn't have video," while Emmy Hartman wrote, "REST IN PEACE GEORGE FLOYD. A VERY SMALL STEP IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION. ROT IN PRISON DEREK CHAUVIN."

Another said, "His name was George Floyd & he died because Derek Chauvin (a police officer) kneeled on his neck for 9 minutes + 29 seconds. Today isn't the end. Today is just the beginning. His name was George Floyd & he changed the world forever."

The NBA also released a statement in support of the verdict.