The jury has reached a verdict in the trial of former Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin, who was charged with George Floyd's death on May 25, 2020 following an arrest that proved fatal and sparked protests across the United States against the police and racial violence.
The verdict will be read in a public hearing between 3:30 pm and 4:00 pm (local time).
The panel of seven women and five men began deliberating on Monday
after a three-week trial and a marathon of testimony.
Chauvin faces charges of second degree murder, punishable by up to 40 years in jail;
murder in the third degree, with a maximum sentence of 25 years, and murder in the second degree, which carries up to 10 years of deprivation of liberty.
Thousands of police and National Guard soldiers had been guarding the streets of Minneapolis since Tuesday morning to prevent violent incidents, while the jury continued to deliberate.
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Chauvin, who is white, knelt on Floyd's neck for several minutes while Floyd was handcuffed and lay face down on the ground.
Prosecutors
argued during the trial that Chauvin's actions caused Floyd to die from lack of oxygen or suffocation
.
Meanwhile, the defense claimed that Floyd's use of illegal drugs and a pre-existing heart condition were to blame for his death and urged the jury not to rule out other theories, including exposure to carbon monoxide.
During their closing arguments, prosecutors sought to focus the jury's attention on the 9 minutes and 29 seconds that Chauvin knelt on Floyd's neck, while Chauvin's defense attorney told them that "the 9 minutes and 29 seconds ignores the 16 minutes and 59 seconds prior "in which both interacted during the arrest.
Prosecutors called 38 witnesses, including the teenager who recorded the viral video that attracted worldwide attention to Floyd's death.
She and other bystanders who testified said they have trouble sleeping because of Floyd's death and that they wish they had done more to try to save his life.
The defense called seven witnesses, two of whom were experts.
Hours before the verdict was ready, President Joe Biden called the case of Floyd's death "overwhelming."
Biden said he had spoken with Floyd's family on Monday.
"I can only imagine the pressure and anxiety they are feeling," he said.
"They are a good family and they ask for peace and quiet no matter what that verdict is."
“I pray that the verdict is correct.
I think it's overwhelming, in my opinion. "
The president has repeatedly denounced Floyd's death, but had not previously commented on the trial itself.
News in development ...
