Kerry Washington, Bernice King, Amanda Gorman and more react to verdict of Derek Chauvin murder trial
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The verdict in the Derek Chauvin murder trial has sparked a wide range of reactions from high-profile figures. Chauvin is the disgraced former police officer who murdered George Floyd last May by pressing his knee into Floyd's neck for nine minutes and 29 seconds
Chauvin faced charges of second-degree murder, third-degree murder and second-degree manslaughter in the 2020 killing of Floyd.
On Tuesday, it was announced that the anonymous multiracial Minnesota jury came to their unanimous verdict, finding Chauvin guilty on all three counts after deliberating for about 10 hours over two days. Prosecutors and the defense made their closing arguments to the jury on Monday in the murder trial.
Last May, Floyd's murder was caught on camera by bystanders and shows Floyd, a 46-year-old Black man, face down on the pavement while the white police officer pinned him to the ground and put his knee on Floyd's neck. In the video, Floyd is heard begging him to move, telling the officer that he could not breathe. Witnesses asked the officer to stop but he insisted that if Floyd was still talking, then he must be fine. Floyd went silent around the video's four-minute mark and the devastating footage went viral.
During the three-week trial, prosecutors have sought to prove that Chauvin acted recklessly when he knelt on Floyd's neck for more than nine minutes. The prosecutors and their expert witnesses told the jury that Chauvin murdered Floyd by cutting off his airway with his knee while Floyd was handcuffed and pinned to the ground. The defense countered that Chauvin was reasonably restraining Floyd when he died of a sudden heart attack that he alleged was fueled by clogged arteries and drug use.
Entertainers, athletes and public officials expressed emotions over the decision of the jury.
GUILTY!!!! As it should be!! Now....Rest In Peace George Floyd. Rest. You and your family have been vindicated. ❤❤👊🏿 #SayHisName
— Viola Davis (@violadavis) April 20, 2021
🎨@4NIKKOLAS pic.twitter.com/DgVFG7UVPF
Come thru Justice!
— Jada Pinkett Smith (@jadapsmith) April 20, 2021
🎨: Shirien Creates pic.twitter.com/kUW29RXcU7
That so many cities are anticipating violence means they know how horrible this all is no matter the verdict. It’s horrible. And still a man is dead for the crime of being black.
— roxane gay (@rgay) April 20, 2021
Rest in peace George Floyd. We remember your name. 🕊 🕊 🕊 #JusticeForGeorgeFloyd
— Matthew A. Cherry (@MatthewACherry) April 20, 2021
This verdict does not bring back Mr Floyd. But justice is truth.
— shonda rhimes (@shondarhimes) April 20, 2021
Relief. #GeorgeFloydverdict
— Lupita Nyong'o (@Lupita_Nyongo) April 20, 2021
JUSTICE has been served in this case ✊🏾 Now we await the sentencing! #DerekChauvin is GUILTY on ALL THREE charges in the death of #GeorgeFloyd 🙏🏽 Now, we need justice for all the others 🗣 One down, many more to go ✊🏻✊🏼✊🏽✊🏾✊🏿
— Porscha Coleman (@PorschaColeman) April 20, 2021
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Rest Easy, George 🕊
.#georgefloyd #ripgeorgeflo… pic.twitter.com/VknIZn5cmP
Thank God for JUSTICE! Justice for #GeorgeFloyd and his family! ❤️🙏🏽❤️🙏🏽❤️🙏🏽
— Michelle Williams (@RealMichelleW) April 20, 2021
History https://t.co/xjcUYNidNF
— iamcardib (@iamcardib) April 20, 2021
GUILTY ON ALL COUNTS.
— Sarah Paulson (@MsSarahPaulson) 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
BEFORE YOU GO: Tyrese Gibson responds to George Floyd's death and police brutality in new song 'Legendary'
[video_embed id='2023788']BEFORE YOU GO: Tyrese Gibson responds to George Floyd's death and police brutality in new song 'Legendary' [/video_embed]
