The jurors in the trial of former Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin reached a verdict, Tuesday, finding Chauvin guilty of all three charges against him.
Chauvin was convicted of second and third-degree murder and second-degree manslaughter in the May 25 death of George Floyd.
“I have to thank you on behalf of the state of Minnesota for not only jury service, but heavy duty jury service,” Judge Peter Cahill said after reading the jury’s decision.
Judge Cahill said he will begin sentencing in eight weeks from Tuesday’s verdict and then revoked Chauvin’s bail, handing his custody over to the county sheriff’s.
Cahill added that Chauvin can present written argument within a week’s time.
Chauvin’s lawyer, Eric Nelson, called for a mistrial on Monday, citing public comments made by California congresswoman Maxine Waters, the way the trial had been portrayed in media and prosecutor Jerry Blackwell’s wording during the closing statements – repeatedly calling the defense’s arguments “stories.” Nelson noted that he asked for jurors to be sequestered at the start of the trial, further motioning toward a possible mistrial appeal.
