Derek Chauvin is a former Minneapolis police officer convicted of murdering George Floyd, a 46-year-old Black man, by kneeling on his neck for about nine minutes during an arrest on May 25, 2020. The killing of Floyd, which was recorded by a bystander and widely shared online, sparked global protests against racism and police brutality. His trial lasted three weeks in March and April 2021 and was one of the most closely watched and high-profile cases in recent American history.

Derek Chauvin Early Life:

Derek Chauvin was born in Minnesota on 19 March 1976. He graduated from Park High School in Cottage Grove, Minnesota, in 1994. He attended Dakota County Technical College and Metropolitan State University, earning a bachelor's degree in law enforcement in 2006.

Chauvin joined the Minneapolis Police Department (MPD) in 2001 and worked as a patrol officer most of his career. He also served as a field training officer for recruits.

The Killing of George Floyd

On May 25, 2020, Chauvin and three other officers responded to a call about a fake $20 bill at a convenience store in south Minneapolis. They encountered George Floyd, who matched the description of the suspect. After briefly questioning him, they handcuffed him and tried to put him in the back of a police car. Floyd resisted, saying he was claustrophobic and could not breathe.

Chauvin pulled Floyd out of the car and pinned him to the ground with his knee on his neck. Floyd repeatedly said he could not breathe and called for his mother. The other officers did not intervene or check on Floyd's condition. Several bystanders pleaded with Chauvin to stop and filmed the incident on their phones.

Floyd became unresponsive after about six minutes. Chauvin continued to kneel on his neck for another three minutes until paramedics arrived and pronounced him dead at the scene. An autopsy later revealed that Floyd died of cardiopulmonary arrest due to neck compression.

The Trial and Verdict

Chauvin was fired by the MPD on May 26, along with the other three officers involved. He was arrested on 29 May. The charges were later upgraded to include second-degree murder.

Chauvin's trial began on March 8, 2021, in the Hennepin County District Court in Minneapolis. 

The prosecution argued that Chauvin used unreasonable and excessive force against Floyd and caused his death. They presented evidence from medical experts, police officials, eyewitnesses, and video footage to support their case.

The defense argued that Chauvin acted according to his training and that Floyd's death was caused by his underlying health conditions and drug use. They also questioned the credibility of some witnesses and suggested that the crowd of bystanders distracted Chauvin from caring for Floyd.

The jury contemplated for about 10 hours over two days before reaching a unanimous judgment on April 20. They found him guilty.

Conclusion

The verdict was relieved and celebrated by many people, especially in the Black community, who saw it as a rare instance of accountability and justice for police violence. The verdict was also welcomed by Floyd's family, civil rights leaders, politicians, and celebrities.