By Amoré Barker
The jurors in the Derek Chauvin case deliberated over the past two days for about ten hours. They made have made a decision to convict Chauvin, who faces murder and manslaughter charges Tuesday afternoon. Derek Michael Chauvin is an American former police officer. He has been undergoing a trial on murder charges in a Minnesota state court for the killing of Mr. George Floyd in Minneapolis, Minnesota, on May 25, 2020.
The deaths of George Floyd and Breonna Taylor (Louisville, KY) have sparked worldwide outrage, protest, new legislation, and powerful music about social justice. Chauvin had his knee on the neck of Mr. George Floyd for nine minutes and twenty nine seconds. Prosecutor Steve Schleicher stated Chauvin's actions were "unnecessary, gratuitous and disproportionate." Derek Chauvin was found guilty of of Second-degree, Third-degree murder and Second-degree murder. Second-degree manslaughter is punishable by up to 10 years. Third-degree murder carries a maximum sentence of 25 years. Second-degree murder carries a maximum sentence of 40 years.