The jury has reportedly reached a verdict in the trial of former Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin for his role in the death of George Floyd. The verdict is expected to be made public around 4:30 or 5 p.m.
Chauvin faces multiple charges ranging from second-degree murder, also known as felony murder, to second-degree manslaughter, which would mean Floyd’s death occurred due to culpable negligence.
Both sides gave their closing arguments Monday, the prosecution insisting Floyd did not pose a threat to the officers on the scene and pushing the point that the entire profession is not on trial, just this one former police officer. The defense argued that the entire episode should be seen in context and that the cause of Floyd’s death was drugs and heart disease.
Now the jury has reached a conclusion – a jury consisting of a diverse group made up of five men and seven women, four of whom are black, six white, and two identifying as multi-racial. You can watch the verdict below, including LIVE CBN News Coverage:
Cities in Minnesota and across the nation are bracing for riots if Chauvin is not deemed guilty by the jury.
Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz said beforehand, “In this moment, it’s our goal together, the mayors, the community organizers, people across the state, from law enforcement to ministerial associations, is to try and make sure that we strike that proper balance of making sure that the peace and stability is upheld. But that equally as important is that rage that will be on the street, regardless of what happens, is channeled into a positive way. And that positive way means change.”
“If we don’t listen to those communities in pain and those people on the streets, many of whom were arrested for speaking a fundamental truth that we must change or we will be right back here again,” Walz said.
Congresswoman Maxine Waters (D-CA) is under fire, accused by Republicans of inciting violence by calling for protestors “get more confrontational” if the verdict isn’t acceptable to them. On Tuesday, House Democrats rejected an attempt to censure Waters.
BREAKING → Every single House Democrat just voted to stand with Maxine Waters.
They made it clear: Democrats are fine with Democrat politicians inciting violence and chaos.
— Steve Scalise (@SteveScalise) April 20, 2021
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