CHARLOTTE — A decision was made Tuesday in the most closely watched police misconduct trial of a generation. Former Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin was convicted on all three counts in the death of George Floyd.
- Second-degree Unintentional Murder: Guilty
- Third-degree Murder: Guilty
- Second-degree Manslaughter: Guilty
Chauvin, 45, was charged after video of him kneeling on Floyd’s neck for 9 minutes and 29 seconds went viral last year, sparking protests against racial inequality and police brutality nationwide.
Channel 9 spoke with several members of the community about their reaction to the verdict.
The former officer could face up to 40 years in prison for the highest count of second-degree unintentional murder. The maximum sentence for third-degree murder is 25 years and he’s facing up to 10 years for second-degree manslaughter.
He’s expected to be sentenced in June.
[ ALSO READ: Derek Chauvin guilty verdict aftermath ]
>> WATCH: In the video below, Channel 9′s Joe Bruno hears from local city and county leaders about the guilty verdict.
This browser does not support the video element.
>> WATCH: In the video below, Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Chief Johnny Jennings reacts to Derek Chauvin’s guilty verdict.
This browser does not support the video element.
>> WATCH: In the video below, Channel 9′s Damany Lewis talks to people near the BLM mural in uptown Charlotte about the verdict.
This browser does not support the video element.
>> WATCH: In the video below, Channel 9 speaks with George Laughrun, a local attorney who has been part of several prominent cases in Charlotte and Chuck Monnett who represents the family of Keith Lamont Scott -- a man who was killed by a CMPD officer in 2016.
This browser does not support the video element.
>> WATCH: In the video below, Channel 9′s Ken Lemon sits down with the Lowell mayor pro tem as the verdict is read.
This browser does not support the video element.
>> WATCH: In the video below, Channel 9′s Glenn Count speaks with President of the Charlotte-Mecklenburg branch of the NAACP Corine Mack about Derek Chauvin’s guilty verdict.
This browser does not support the video element.
(Below are some reactions to the verdict shared across social media)