Hudson Valley community leaders expressed relief as the verdicts came in shortly after 5 p.m. Tuesday: guilty of second-degree murder; guilty of third-degree murder; guilty of second-degree manslaughter.
But all made clear that the conviction of former Minneapolis Police Officer Derek Chauvin in the May 25, 2020 killing of George Floyd was just one step in a long path that could lead to social justice.
Mount Vernon Mayor Shawyn Patterson-Howard was overcome with emotion Tuesday evening. She said justice was served because Chauvin’s actions displayed a “reckless disregard for human life.
The verdict provides an “inkling of hope,” Patterson-Howard said, but is not vindication for all the other lives lost at the hands of police officers.
Apr 20, 2021
A jury has reached a verdict in former Minneapolis Police Officer Derek Chauvin s trial in the death of George Floyd.
Chauvin has been found guilty on all three counts against him: second-degree murder, third-degree murder and manslaughter.
Chauvin faces up to 40 years in prison for second-degree murder, up to 25 years for third-degree murder, and up to 10 years for second-degree manslaughter.
More on this story from our media partner, ABC 13 - WSET.
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Updated April 20
Biden to America after George Floyd verdict: ‘We can’t stop here’
The president and vice president call on Congress to act swiftly to address policing reform, including by approving a bill named for Floyd, who died with his neck under the knee of former police officer Derek Chauvin last May.
By JONATHAN LEMIRE, ZEKE MILLER and MICHAEL BALSAMOAssociated Press
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President Biden, accompanied by Vice President Kamala Harris, speaks Tuesday, at the White House in Washington after former Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin was convicted of murder and manslaughter in the death of George Floyd. Evan Vucci/Associated Press
By: Associated Press
WASHINGTON -
President Joe Biden said Tuesday the conviction of former Minneapolis Police Officer Derek Chauvin in the killing of George Floyd “can be a giant step forward” for the nation in the fight against systemic racism. But he declared that “it’s not enough.”
Biden spoke from the White House hours after the verdict alongside Vice President Kamala Harris, with the pair saying the country’s work is far from finished with the verdict.
“We can’t stop here,” Biden declared.
Biden and Harris called on Congress to act swiftly to address policing reform, including by approving a bill named for Floyd, who died with his neck under Chauvin’s knee last May. Beyond that, the president said, the entire country must confront hatred to “change hearts and minds as well as laws and policies.”
WASHINGTON – President Joe Biden said Tuesday the conviction of former Minneapolis Police Officer Derek Chauvin in the killing of George Floyd “can be a giant step forward” for the nation in the fight against systemic racism. But he declared that “it’s not enough.”
Biden spoke from the White House hours after the verdict alongside Vice-President Kamala Harris, with the pair saying the country’s work is far from finished with the verdict.
“We can’t stop here,” Biden declared.
Biden and Harris called on Congress to act swiftly to address policing reform, including by approving a bill named for Floyd, who died with his neck under Chauvin’s knee last May. Beyond that, the president said, the entire country must confront hatred to “change hearts and minds as well as laws and policies.”