Derek Chauvin, the former Minneapolis police officer, has been convicted of second-degree murder, third-degree murder and second-degree manslaughter in the death of George Floyd.Chauvin, 45, was charged with second-degree murder, third-degree murder and second-degree manslaughter. All three charges required the jury to conclude that Chauvin’s actions were a “substantial causal factor” in Floyd’s death — and that his use of force was unreasonable.During the three weeks of testimony, the jury heard from experts brought by the state of Minnesota and Chauvin’s defense attorney, Eric Nelson. The defense contended that the 46-year-old Floyd died of underlying heart disease and his illegal use of fentanyl and methamphetamine. Prosecutors sought to reject the drug overdose argument, the contention that police were distracted by what they saw as hostile onlookers, the notion that Floyd had “superhuman” strength from a state of agitation known as excited delirium, and the suggestion that Floyd suffered carbon monoxide poisoning from auto exhaust. Several experienced officers, including the police chief, testified that Floyd should not have been kept pinned to the pavement by his neck for close to 9 1/2 minutes by prosecutors’ reckoning as Floyd lay face-down, his hands cuffed behind his back.Second-degree intentional murder carries up to 40 years in prison, third-degree murder 25 years, and second-degree manslaughter 10 years. Sentencing guidelines call for far less time, including 12 1/2 years on either murder count.This is a developing story. Check back for updates.The Associated Press contributed to this report.
MINNEAPOLIS —
Derek Chauvin, the former Minneapolis police officer, has been convicted of second-degree murder, third-degree murder and second-degree manslaughter in the death of George Floyd.
Chauvin, 45, was charged with second-degree murder, third-degree murder and second-degree manslaughter. All three charges required the jury to conclude that Chauvin’s actions were a “substantial causal factor” in Floyd’s death — and that his use of force was unreasonable.
During the three weeks of testimony, the jury heard from experts brought by the state of Minnesota and Chauvin’s defense attorney, Eric Nelson. The defense contended that the 46-year-old Floyd died of underlying heart disease and his illegal use of fentanyl and methamphetamine.
Prosecutors sought to reject the drug overdose argument, the contention that police were distracted by what they saw as hostile onlookers, the notion that Floyd had “superhuman” strength from a state of agitation known as excited delirium, and the suggestion that Floyd suffered carbon monoxide poisoning from auto exhaust. Several experienced officers, including the police chief, testified that Floyd should not have been kept pinned to the pavement by his neck for close to 9 1/2 minutes by prosecutors’ reckoning as Floyd lay face-down, his hands cuffed behind his back.
Second-degree intentional murder carries up to 40 years in prison, third-degree murder 25 years, and second-degree manslaughter 10 years. Sentencing guidelines call for far less time, including 12 1/2 years on either murder count.
This is a developing story. Check back for updates.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
