US: Former Policeman Chauvin Found Guilty of Murder in George Floyd's Death

Former police officer Derek Chauvin was found guilty on all counts Tuesday for causing George Floyd's death, a verdict that could send him disgraced former policeman to prison for the rest of his life.

He was convicted of second- and third-degree murder, as well as second-degree manslaughter.

Now he faces up to 75 years in prison when he returns for sentencing in eight weeks.

Conviction on the top count of second-degree murder means the 12 jurors unanimously agreed that Chauvin caused Floyd's death during the commission of a felony assault. The jury rejected the defense claim that there might have been other medical reasons Floyd died, saying Chauvin killed him, even if unintentionally, by kneeling on his neck for more than nine minutes.

Outside the courthouse in Minneapolis, which had been enclosed with razor wire, the crowd erupted into cheers when word of the verdict filtered out. Many said they feared the jury would not convict a white police officer of killing Floyd, who was Black.

"All three counts! All three counts!" the crowd chanted as cars honked and people danced on the blocked off streets, some of them waving Black Lives Matter flags and carrying signs that said "Justice for George Floyd."

US President Joe Biden has said the conviction of a former police officer in the killing of George Floyd "can be a giant step forward in the march toward justice in America".

In a phone call with Mr Floyd's family after the verdict was announced, the president was heard saying: "At least now there is some justice."