COLUMBUS — Ohio Governor Mike DeWine and attorney general David Yost each issued statements in the wake of Tuesday’s guilty verdict in the trial Minneapolis Police Officer Derek Chauvin.
Chauvin was convicted on all three counts in the death of George Floyd.
“A jury in Minneapolis has spoken by convicting Derek Chauvin of second and third-degree murder and second-degree manslaughter in the death of George Floyd,” DeWine said. “Our system of justice worked. The jury members listened to both sides, weighed the evidence, and came to this verdict.
“As we go forward as a nation, we must learn from the tragic death of George Floyd.”
The jury of six whites and six Black or multiracial people came back with its verdict after about 10 hours of deliberations over two days. The now-fired white officer was found guilty of second-degree unintentional murder, third-degree murder and second-degree manslaughter.
Yost echoed those sentiments.
“What Derek Chauvin did to George Floyd is murder. He killed more than a man—he nearly killed the hope of justice,” Yost said. “The jury called it murder, and restored that hope.
“Chauvin dishonored his badge and a noble profession. That should weigh heavily in his sentencing hearing.”
Chauvin, 45, was immediately led away with his hands cuffed behind his back and could be sent to prison for decades.
