A jury in the trial of former Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin has found the 45-year-old guilty on all three counts of murder and manslaughter charges. The counts were second-degree murder, third-degree murder, and second-degree manslaughter of African-American man George Floyd.
Chauvin now faces up to 75 years in prison but will await his sentencing per the adjournment of the court.
Floyd passed away in May last year after Chauvin knelt on his neck for over eight minutes despite repeatedly telling him he couldn’t breathe.
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Many have praised Darnella Frazier, the young woman who filmed the harrowing last few seconds of the life of George Floyd risking her own safety and well-being. If not for Fraizer’s footage, we may never have known the truth about Floyd’s murder.
Frazier’s video inspired a global outrage against the killing of Floyd in the streets of Minnesota. The young woman filmed the whole process of Floyd’s arrest and how he was pinned to the ground at the neck by ex-officer Derek Chauvin’s knee for eight minutes and forty-six seconds.
Protests erupted in the US and the world against police brutality spearheaded by the Black Lives Matter movement.
Black Hollywood has stood in solidarity with Floyd’s family since the incident and many took to social media to express their relief for the ‘rightful’ verdict declared on April 20.
Take a look at some of the reactions.
Oprah shared in a statement on Twitter that she’s “relieved—and emotional in ways I didn’t expect.”
“I cried tears of joy as each verdict was read,” she continued, adding that she’s grateful for the jurors and witnesses. “Thank you, God, for real!”
A guilty #verdict. But this fight for justice is not over. We have a lot of work to do. There is more fight ahead of us. But RIGHT NOW please take CARE of yourself. And let’s take care of each other. Prayers and love to the family of #GeorgeFloyd.
— kerry washington (@kerrywashington) April 20, 2021
Today, a jury did the right thing. But true justice requires much more. Michelle and I send our prayers to the Floyd family, and we stand with all those who are committed to guaranteeing every American the full measure of justice that George and so many others have been denied. pic.twitter.com/mihZQHqACV
— Barack Obama (@BarackObama) April 20, 2021
Jamie Foxx went all out on Instagram. He said, “it is a bittersweet moment… I am happy and relieved that the person that did this horrendous thing to you and your family was found guilty… The bitter is that we cannot bring you back… The bitter is all of the lives that were affected by what happened to you… all the tears that have been shed… and hearts broken…But through prayer and faithful people.”
He continued; “Today with the announcement of this Verdict gives us some type of hope… hope that we can start righting the wrongs that have been in place for years in this country… rest in power George… And know that your words resonated around the whole world… You asking for your mother… You asking for just a bit of air… You asked for dignity…. Today we took a small step towards honoring you and the thousands like u who had Their lives taken senselessly… god bless u and ur family. And God bless us all.” #hope #justiceforgeorgefloyd
“FINALLY! Guilty!!! Of all three counts!! (And judging by his face, shocked.) May this sentence be long, and strong, and change-making. #Precedent. Darnella Frazier, you are a hero. #DerekChauvinGUILTY#DerekChauvinMurderer
— Anika Noni Rose (@AnikaNoniRose) April 20, 2021
This is the first time in history in MN that a white police officer has been convicted of killing a black man. This is the beginning of the end of legal lynching. The legal lynching must end. Congrats to the legal team&to Attorney General #KeithEllison. #justiceforgeorgefloyd pic.twitter.com/R7SjqqnwfV
— Rev Jesse Jackson Sr (@RevJJackson) April 20, 2021
“GUILTY!!!! As it should be!! Now….Rest In Peace George Floyd. Rest. You and your family have been vindicated. #SayHisName” –Viola Davis
