Justice for Black America is justice for all of America: George Floyd’s family

People gather at the intersection of 38th Street and Chicago Avenue to celebrate the guilty verdict in the trial. Pics/AFP

A US grand jury has found former Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin guilty on all three charges he faced over the custodial death of African-American George Floyd last year, a chilling incident that sparked worldwide protests against racism and excessive use of force by police.

The 12 jurors found Chauvin, 45, guilty of unintentional second-degree murder, third-degree murder and second-degree manslaughter in one of the most closely watched cases in recent memory in the US.

Charles McMillan (left) and Genevieve Hansen, witnesses who testified in the trial, embrace in George Floyd Square after the verdict

Chauvin was filmed kneeling on Floyd's neck during his arrest on May 25 after a convenience store clerk in Minneapolis alleged that Floyd tried to pass a counterfeit $ 20 bill.

Chauvin pinned down Floyd, 46, with his knee on the pavement of a south Minneapolis intersection for more than nine minutes. "I can't breathe. I can't breathe," were his last words.

Chauvin pleaded not guilty to the charges against him. He faces up to 40 years in prison, according to US media reports. Judge Peter Cahill said sentencing is expected in eight weeks.

The City of Minneapolis last month settled a wrongful death lawsuit with Floyd's family for $ 27 million. The verdict prompted celebratory scenes outside the court and in Floyd's home town, where several hundred people cheered as it was announced.

Former Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin listens to the verdict

The Floyd family's lawyer, Ben Crump and George Floyd's family released a statement following the conviction of Chauvin, saying the verdict goes far beyond this city and has significant implications for the country and even the world. "Justice for Black America is justice for all of America. This case is a turning point in American history for accountability of law enforcement and sends a clear message we hope is heard clearly in every city and every state," the statement said.

The Justice Department is opening a sweeping investigation into policing practices in Minneapolis after Chauvin was convicted, Attorney General Merrick Garland announced Wednesday.

Police shoot, kill teenage girl

Police shot and killed a teenage girl Tuesday afternoon in Columbus just as the verdict was being announced in the trial for the killing of George Floyd. The Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation was at the scene Tuesday night on the city's southeast side, The Columbus Dispatch reported. Officers had responded to an attempted stabbing call when police shot the girl at about 4:45 p.m, the newspaper reported. The 911 caller reported a female was trying to stab them before hanging up, according to the Dispatch. The girl was taken to a hospital, where she was pronounced dead. Nobody else was injured, the newspaper reported.

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