(KNSI) – Minnesota lawmakers and leaders are reacting to Derek Chauvin’s conviction on all counts in George Floyd’s death last year, a decision the jury reached and announced Thursday afternoon.
The jury found Chauvin — the former Minneapolis police officer seen on widely shared bystander video kneeling on Floyd’s neck for over nine minutes during an arrest on May 25, 2020 — guilty of second-degree unintentional murder, third-degree murder and second-degree manslaughter for Floyd’s death. Hennepin County Judge Peter Cahill read the jury’s verdict in court Thursday afternoon and said sentencing will happen in about eight weeks.
Gov. Tim Walz called the verdict “an important step forward for justice in Minnesota.”
“Thousands of Minnesotans marched in the streets last summer in the wake of his death — inspiring a movement around the globe,” Walz said. “While many of these people never met George, they valued his humanity. They knew what happened was wrong. They called for change, and they demanded justice. A year later, Derek Chauvin has been found guilty of murder and faces years behind bars.”
Walz added that accountability in the courtroom is only one step toward justice, saying systemic changes to prevent more deaths during police encounters are needed.
“Justice for George Floyd means building a community and a state where everyone is safe,” said Lt. Gov. Peggy Flanagan. “While nothing will bring George back, this verdict is a step toward the vision of justice that sent thousands of people into the streets, demanding change.”
In a post-trial press conference, Minnesota Attorney General Kieth Ellison said his team put everything they had into their prosecution.
“We presented the best case that we could, and the jury heard us, and we’re grateful for that,” Ellison said. “We had the sole burden of proof in the case. When history shows that winning cases like these can be difficult, I’m proud of every hour, every minute and every ounce of effort we put in this case.”
Ellison posed a question: “What if we used this verdict as an inflection point?”
“What if we just prevented the problem instead of having to try these cases,” he said. “We don’t want any more community members dying at the hands of law enforcement and their families’ lives ruined. … I’m so proud of Chief [Medaria] Arradondo and the Minneapolis police officers who, by their testimony, said ‘enough is enough.'”
U.S. Senator Amy Klobuchar called Tuesday’s conviction the right one.
“For the Floyd family, nothing will bring back George, but this verdict is a first step towards accountability,” Klobuchar said. “Attorney General Keith Ellison and his team did great work prosecuting this case, and the hometown witnesses and police officers who testified displayed such courage in reliving that horrific day and making the case for justice.”
Klobuchar called on Congress to act.
“It’s long past time the Senate moves forward and passes police reform to hold officers accountable for misconduct, increase transparency in policing practices, and improve police conduct and training, including banning chokeholds,” Klobuchar said. “This is the urgent task before us — not for tomorrow, not for next year, but for now.”
In response to the verdict, U.S. Senator Tina Smith said there is work to be done to address racial inequities in the state that go beyond policing.
“Last week a reporter interviewing me referred to Minnesota as ‘the Jim Crow of the North,'” Smith said. “Devastating. He was talking about the deep and persistent inequities in housing, health care, policing and the criminal justice system, and economic opportunity that people of color experience in my state.
“What if this verdict is the beginning of a transformation in public safety for Minnesota and our country, where we move past the warrior model of policing and toward a model of truly protecting and serving?” Smith continued. “What if we rethink public safety so that Black and Brown people, and all people, truly feel safe and protected in their homes, neighborhoods and communities? This is the work ahead of all of us.”
Minnesota’s Fifth District Congresswoman Ilhan Omar tweeted in response to the verdict: “This feels different for our community, justice feels new and long overdue. Rejoice, my beloved community. Grateful to @AGEllison, jurors, and everyone who made this possible. Alhamdulillah!!”
This feels different for our community, justice feels new and long overdue.
Rejoice, my beloved community. Grateful to @AGEllison, jurors, and everyone who made this possible.
Alhamdulillah!! https://t.co/BkVP71QP4S
— Ilhan Omar (@IlhanMN) April 20, 2021
Fourth District Congresswoman Betty McCollum reacts: “George Floyd should be alive today. While this conviction does not return him to his family and those who loved him, it does deliver justice. We all have work to do to end systemic racism, reduce violence in our society, and demand responsible, respectful policing in Minnesota and in communities across America.
“I urge Republicans in the U.S. Senate to join Democrats in responding to this crisis by passing the George Floyd Justice in Policing Act as we did in the House,” McCollum continued.
District 13A Republican State Rep. Lisa Demuth said in a tweet that the Derek Chauvin case has weighed heavily on the state, country and world.
“I pray for the Floyd family and their devastating loss,” Demuth said. “I pray for healing, for unity and for peace. We must continue working to address core issues. We must do better.”
The Derek Chauvin case has weighed heavily on our state, nation and world. I pray for the Floyd family and their devastating loss. I pray for healing, for unity and for peace. We must continue working to address core issues. We must do better. #mnleg #mngop #district13A
— Lisa Demuth (@LisaDemuthMN) April 20, 2021
(1/3) For the past few weeks, 12 of our fellow Minnesotans diligently listened to the evidence presented by the defense and prosecution, and today, they have reached their verdict. I thank the jurors for their service.
— Pete Stauber (@RepPeteStauber) April 20, 2021
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