In a highly-anticipated verdict, former Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin was pronounced guilty of all charges. The verdict was handed down by a Minnesota jury of nine women and five men on Tuesday.
The conviction of second-degree murder required proof beyond a reasonable doubt that Mr. Chauvin caused Mr. Floyd’s death while assaulting him, by intentionally applying unlawful force without consent that resulted in substantial bodily harm.
The third-degree murder charge required proof Mr. Chauvin caused Mr. Floyd’s death by committing an eminently dangerous act that was highly likely to cause death and showed a reckless disregard for human life. In convicting Mr. Chauvin of second-degree manslaughter, the jurors concluded that culpable negligence and reckless actions by Mr. Chauvin caused Mr. Floyd’s death.
